Should I ‘Stay,’ or should I go

The ads for “Stay” describe it as a creepy psychological thriller. I am more inclined to describe it as a mess.

Mind you, it’s a visually stunning mess. Director Marc Forster (“Finding Neverland”) and cinematographer Roberto Schaefer have created wonderfully stylized scenes unlike any I have seen before. One camera view seamlessly transitions into another, and if you look closely you will see many sets of twins and triplets in the background. So much imagery, it must mean something -- but what?

That is where “Stay” leaves you high and dry. This story, about a psychiatrist named Sam (Ewan McGregor), who tries to help suicidal art student Henry (Ryan Gosling), takes you through many curious scenes and countless clues as to what Henry’s source of angst might be.

Sam’s artist girlfriend Lila (Naomi Watts), herself a survivor of a suicide attempt, tries to reassure him that she will not try it again.

Sam tries to talk to Henry’s friends, family and his former psychiatrist (Janeane Garofolo), and the encounters are so surreal, you start to wonder just who is going mad here -- Sam or Henry.

But the story goes nowhere, just like that spiral staircase that Henry gets stuck on. The acting, dialogue and even the featured artwork are monotonous.

“Am I good? Will they remember me?” asks Lila. The answer to both questions here is a resounding “No.”

* SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant for a financial services company.

Acting gets focus

in ‘North Country’

A compelling story based on America’s first sexual harassment lawsuit is the dramatic heart of “North Country.” The plot unfolds in a Minnesota mining company that has been forced to hire women because of new court rulings. None of the male miners want women on the job. The men become rude, crude and lewd as they proceed to insult and harass the women in every way imaginable

This premise results in an often simplistic screenplay as the blatant abuse is presented in one vulgar incident after another. There is nothing subtle about the continuous offensive behavior that wears down the women and sometimes the audience as well. There are some cornball legal antics that could only happen in a Hollywood courtroom. But in the end, outstanding acting propels this film to a higher level than the underlying events might normally deserve.

Charlize Theron won an Oscar for her remarkable portrayal of a mentally disturbed serial killer in “Monster.” Here she again seeks out a difficult acting role that downplays her natural glamour and gives life to a suffering single mom living on the edge of society. Frances McDormand and Sissy Spacek join her in rewarding performances playing local people caught up in the ongoing melodrama. Director Niki Caro (“Whale Rider”) has fashioned another good film that falls short of greatness. Being politically correct definitely enhances its appeal. But the terrific work of the actresses is the real reason this film might get some notice from the Academy.

* JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator for the Orange County public defender’s office.

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