Movie Review: ‘Mojave’

The Oscar winning screenwriter of the "The Departed," William Monahan, checks in with "Mojave,” a new film that he both wrote and directed. Time Warner Cable News film critic Neil Rosen filed the following review.

Thomas, played by Garrett Hedlund, is a wealthy, spoiled Hollywood star. Unhappy with his shallow life, he sets out, all alone, into the Mojave Desert to possibly find himself. While there, he accidentally overturns his vehicle.

While stuck in the desert, he runs into a drifter named Jack, played by Oscar Isaac. We immediately sense that something is mentally wrong with Jack and we quickly find out that he is a serial killer.

When an accidental turn of events leaves a third party dead in the Mojave, Thomas returns to his L.A. digs with Jack hot on his heels. Stalking him at every turn, Jack becomes fixated on Thomas and vows to blow him away.

So, it becomes a game of cat and mouse as both of these guys try to outwit one another. Some of it is fun, a lot of it is not.

Isaac is always interesting to watch on screen, whether he is in “Star Wars” or “Inside Lewyn Davis.” He injects mystery and comic relief into what could have been a dull character. His Jack is a psychopath, but a well read one, quoting lines from Shakespeare and Mellville.

Hedlund does not fare as well. His take on the brooding Hollywood star comes across as full himself, too cool for school and ultimately dull.

Mark Wahlberg as a stereotypical producer with a thing for hookers and a life of excess shows up briefly, as does Walton Goggins as a jaded agent. However, they add little to the proceedings.

But the main problem lies with Monahan's uneven script and direction. The movie is trying to be both a mood piece thriller in the desert as well as a satire on Hollywood. Both of these genres do not really gel and Monahan is not able to successfully combine the two.

Despite the structural problems, Isaac elevates the proceedings and I did enjoy his performance in a movie where there is little else to recommend.