THE I INSIDE

"I've lost two years of my life?"

Simon Cable

Waking up a hospital bed confused and dazed, Simon Cable (Phillippe) finds that he has no memory of the last two years of his life. He has a wife that he doesn't recognise, he is having an affair and his brother is dead. Not knowing what to make of all this he tries to sleep but when he awakes it is two years earlier and none of the events that he had just witnessed have happened yet. Even more confused, Simon tries to comprehend what is happening to him and if he can change the events that he has foreseen.

According to the movies and TV amnesia is a very common thing but will 'The I Inside' trigger a memory or make you want to forget?

The movie plot stalwart that is amnesia comes to the front of our consciousness again but this movie will make you think that your memory is playing tricks on you. Creating a confusing plot is all well and good but you have to have a clear conclusion to clear up all the confusion. 'The I Inside' doesn't do this.

The plot unfolds from Simon's perspective and we find out what is going on at the same time as he does. This drives the plot well, creating tension and an uneasy level of confusion that both the character and audience share. What is he going through? Is he travelling in time? Can he change the future? Is someone trying to kill him? These are all questions that both the character and you are asking as the film unfolds. The problem is that by the time the credits role, you will still be asking these questions.

The lack of any real conclusion spoils a movie that is filled with good performances from a memorable ensemble cast. Ryan Phillippe is a talented actor who deserves more high profile roles. He has the skill to produce believable characters whatever their situation or storyline. As Simon Cable, he creates an emotional reeks of a character, riddled by confusion, guilt and fear. As the movie progresses he skilfully portrays a level of paranoia that both engulfs the character and the audience, proving again that he is an actor with tremendous talent. Piper Perabo gets a chance to shine as Anna, Simon's future wife. Playing two distinctly different parts in two time periods, Piper finally gets the chance to act and move away from her usual girl-next-door type roles. Sarah Polley is as good as ever as Clair, the woman Simon is having an affair with. While she doesn't get as much screen time as you'd like her two, when she is on the screen she proves again that she is an actress worth watching. Add to this, another good turn by Stephen Rea and a noticeable performance by Robert Sean Leonard as Simon's brother Peter and you have a fine ensemble cast.

'The I Inside' is filled with good performances and a sense of tension that will have you gripped. The lack of any conclusion or explanation to the confusing plot is the film's real let down. After watching intensely for almost ninety minutes you will end up thinking 'What was all that about?', as the final credit role and no explanation is given. This is a real shame as the film succeeds for so long and the lacklustre finale really lets it down, making it a movie you will probably only remember for this.