I knew after seeing a preview of this film that I was going to like it, but I underestimated how much I would "actually" like it. Apart from Charlie Kaufman's oeveur, this is one of the most original films I've seen in years. Who would've thought that Joseph Gordon-Levitt could STAR in something this engaging? Not to mention it co-stars the beautiful Emilie de Ravin (even if she only appears from time to time), this is classic film noir genetically mutated into a modern-day emo high-schooler's existence. I love the muted, dreary, rainy-day look cinematographer Steve Yedlin has achieved here, turning Southern California into what appears to be somewhere like Seattle (or the mid-west, for that matter, but with more hills). I can see how it may alienate some viewers, but I think if you go into it with an open mind (and the subtitle option turned on, if you're not hep to noir-laden lingo), I think you'll enjoy this film as much as I did. Which was a lot.