Very bad movie
I just watched this on Sundance. The on-screen program guide listed another movie titled GHOST WRITER (1989) and that's what I expected to see. But on came the 2007 Alan Cumming film, totally unrelated to the earlier one. The cast list in the opening credits looked very interesting, so I watched it.
I was not surprised that it was so bad -- I've seen plenty of bad movies -- but I couldn't understand why anyone would finance a movie directed by non-director Alan Cumming. And worse, he's also the star! How can an inexperienced director helm a movie in which he's in 99% of it? (I know Laurence Olivier did it with HAMLET, but Olivier is a far cry from Cumming.) The movie's low budget was also a major hindrance.
Cumming was terrible as a director and acted extremely badly in many of his scenes. Of course, the writing didn't help. Only a few actors were able to escape the silliness of their roles. David Boreanez and Ann Heche were able to create credible characters and almost rise above the dreck they were required to speak. But the movie rested on the shoulders of Cumming, and he made a mess of it.
Alan, go back to musicals and light comedies. And next time, work with a good director.