As conceived and crafted by writer and director Paul Haggis, Third Person is a big and bold film. Unfortunately, it is also a rather bad one. The complex, three-pronged storyline alternates between Rome, Paris, and NYC. In Italy, a corporate spy (Adrien Brody) is intrigued by a beautiful Italian woman (Moran Atias) in a bar and, in his pursuit of her, becomes involved in a dangerous swindle. In France, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author (Liam Neeson) tries to shape his new novel while also contemplating and wooing his elusive lover (Olivia Wilde), who has flown in to visit him and another man. And in the United States, a down-and-out soap-opera actress (Mila Kunis) finds employment as a hotel maid while feuding with her estranged ex-husband (James Franco) over custody of their son.

High-wire editing calls attention to similar symbols and themes shared by the stories, including the specter of absent children. These build to a self-satisfied twist ending predicated on the desirable and popular, but flawed impulse to interpret fiction as an act of veiled autobiographical confession and analysis. The mediocrity of the conclusion is compounded by the film's engorged length. At close to two-and-a-half hours, the ride to the abrupt and too-cute reveal is interminable and, particularly as the first hour gives way to the second, a bit dull. Easing the pain are largely capable performances by an ensemble cast also including Maria Bello and Kim Basinger, as well as picturesque international photography. Wilde in particular shines, and her scenes are far and away the most riveting. In turn sexily teasing, haunted, and cruel, it is an enigmatic performance which could have won her the best reviews of her career if delivered in a stronger overall film.

C

I agree, Wilde is fantastic here and it's one of her best performances. While the film has a strong start, it's length really does weigh against it and each story becomes less interesting the more it progresses. The twist is satisfying enough and the acting from the surprisingly huge ensemble allows the film to remain a passable effort from Haggis.

Olivia Wilde's naked scene is the best thing about this film BY FAR. Damn, she looks good.

Anyway, the film is very mediocre and I really disliked the final twist.