Leave (2011)

Leave is a psychological thriller done in a similar style to that of The Machinist (2004).  The movie is an enjoyable enigma for you to figure out.

Henry (Rick Gomez) is a very successful author who becomes haunted by the same nightmare every night.  The nightmares started after he endured a shocking experience.  He begins to write a new book, but his writing all reverts back to his nightmare.  Paranoia ensues as he tries to figure out what the nightmare means.

I did not have very high expectations for this movie.  I figured it would be a hit or miss.  It was not outstanding by any means, but it was a nice change from the norm and it held my attention throughout.  The film will transport you into a world of uncertainty.  What is truth and what is fiction?  It will keep you guessing all the way to the end.

I did expect Bryan Cranston to have a much larger part.  The cover of the movie is very deceiving because he is on it.  His role was a cameo at best.  He was in the movie for maybe a minute and a half.  The cast is a bunch of well known character-actors.  I think that Cranston is all over the advertising because he is the most well-known actor in the whole movie.  I think that it was a waste that he was not in more of the film.  I guess the advertising technique was successful because having not seen the trailer for the movie; I only had the cover to go by.  Thinking that it was a Bryan Cranston movie is what got me to watch it.  It is not a Bryan Cranston movie, but I’m glad that I watched it.

Rick Gomez and Frank John Hughes do a lovely job of carrying the majority of the film with very minor supporting characters played by Vinessa Shaw, Ron Livingston, and M.C. Gainey.

If you enjoy puzzles and mindbenders, then this movie is for you.  There are many twists and turns and all sorts of clues in this mystery.  Can you figure it out?

I rate this movie a 7.5 out of 10.

Buy, rent, or run?  Rent.

If you liked Leave, then you will most likely enjoy the following films:

The Machinist (2004)

Wrecked (2010)

Trance (2013)