Ah, “The Other Man” – now this one’s a bit of a rollercoaster, innit? So we’ve got Liam Neeson, who’s always a good sport, even if he seems to have caught a bit of a typecast bug lately. And then Antonio Banderas, our suave Spanish maestro, sweeping in with that charm. I gotta say, though, I went into this one with a bit of a raised eyebrow. You know when you hear about a film and you’re like, “Alright, what’s this going to be about, then?” Yeah, that was me.

The plot revolves around Peter, played by Neeson, who finds out his wife, Lisa (Laura Linney), has been having an affair. Then, we’ve got Ralph (Banderas), the other man in question. So there’s your love triangle. Except, it’s more like a love trapezoid with some missing edges. I mean, the suspense is there, but it felt a bit jagged at times, like a jigsaw puzzle missing a few pieces.

The film’s got some gorgeous scenes though – I think Vienna’s never looked this mysterious! There’s this part where Peter’s obsessively tracking down Ralph – it kinda reminded me of those detective novels I used to read during rainy summers in Småland. But, you can smell the apprehension in the air, the kind that clings to you like dampness.

Oh, and the twist! Without spoiling too much – let’s just say it caught me half-off-guard. The film tries to explore grief and betrayal, but it’s like trying to make a soufflé while forgetting to preheat the oven. It kinda flops in places.

Honestly, the performances held it together more than the plot. Neeson, with his intense brooding, versus Banderas’s sly elegance – it’s like watching a fencing match with words. Laura Linney’s role felt a bit undercooked though, which was a bummer.

Thinking back, it reminded me of a an old story Farfar used to tell about the neighbor who always wore too many layers in winter. Just like this film, he had the right intention but it’s like he got tangled up in his own scarf.

So, would I recommend it? Sure, but maybe with a disclaimer: don’t go in expecting too much, just enjoy the journey. And hey, why not watch the trailer and decide