Sleeping Dogs: A Murder Mystery with Amnesia
In the latest thriller, Sleeping Dogs, Russell Crowe plays Roy Freeman, a former homicide detective suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The film, directed by Adam Cooper, follows Roy as he tries to solve a brutal murder while struggling to piece together his own forgotten past.
A Fascinating Concept
The concept of Sleeping Dogs is tantalizing. A detective with amnesia trying to solve a murder while also uncovering secrets from his own past is a fascinating premise. It’s like staring into a mirror, judging oneself without the burden of memories. However, the film falls short of its potential, getting bogged down in formulaic plot twists and uninspired character development.
Aesthetically Unpleasant
The film’s washed-out colors are presumably meant to mimic Roy’s fractured state of mind, but the result is an aesthetically unpleasant viewing experience. The cinematography is relentlessly ugly, making it difficult to become fully immersed in the story.
Unreliable Narrators
The film’s use of flashbacks and multiple narrators adds to the confusion. Richard Finn’s (Harry Greenwood) literary memoirs are particularly problematic, as he admits that his writing is a matter of perspective, making his entire narrative suspect. This raises questions about the reliability of the other characters’ stories, leaving the viewer wondering what is real and what is just a product of the characters’ imaginations.
A Disappointing Conclusion
The final twist, which connects Roy to the murder, feels contrived and unsatisfying. The film’s failure to explore the fascinating character study aspect of Roy’s amnesia in favor of generic murder mystery tropes is a disappointment.
Russell Crowe as Roy Freeman
The importance of Alzheimer’s research
The thrill of the chase
The fragility of human memory
The blurred lines of truth
The official poster for Sleeping Dogs
