A compelling, disturbing, yet ultimately frustrating film. Jim Sturgess gives a convincing performance, conveying his disfigured character's almost crippling shyness and self-doubt well. The rest of the performers--the stunning Clémence Poésy (In Bruges, 127 Hours) and a trio of Mike Leigh favorites in Eddie Marsan, Timothy Spall, and Ruth Sheen--are also quite good. For 90% of the running time, the film is deeply creepy and involving. It presents a sinister vision of London, a London of poorly lit alleyways and demon-faced hoodlums. Even when the plot goes in rather absurd directions, I stayed with it, engaged and curious to see the next kooky twist or turn. However, the last twenty or so minutes are underwhelming. The music swells, confusing flashbacks abound, suddenly it's The Usual Suspects meets The Fountain, and the film stumbles to a fairly unsatisfying conclusion. A pity because this was a damn good horror film most of the way.

B-