Based on the novel by Scottish beat-poet Alexander Trocchi and adapted by the gifted Mackenzie, this is an unusually introspective film that refuses to play by the rules. We learn just as much about the characters in the silences, and it helps that all of the performances are spot on. McGregor has never been this darkly complex, playing a sociopath who has enough charm and promise to make us like him. Sort of. And Swinton's brittle strength has never been this effective on screen. The actors are augmented by remarkably beautiful (and gloomy) cinematography and an intriguing David Byrne score. As the events progress, what happens on screen is often virtually the opposite of what's really going on under the surface, and it's to everyone's credit that it works as well as it does, subtly getting deep under the characters' skins and exposing some uncomfortable truths about being human. This is a finely crafted film for grown-ups only ... and it's hard to remember the last time we had one that was this provocative and moving.