Red Lights not lighting the way...

Red Lights, a film that I found at least enjoyable, even though it never quite decided what it wanted to be.

**Spoilers Ahead**

To begin with you are introduced to Sigourney Weaver's 'Dr. Matheson', and Cillian Murphy's 'Dr. Buckley' (add in Robert De Niro, and Ashley Olsen, and you have a good enough reason to give this film the time of day).  The two are scientists investigating and debunking apparent paranormal occurrences.  At the point where we are told about the concept of 'Red Lights' by Dr. Matheson, I'm enjoying the film.  Red Lights are the tell tale signs that the paranormal is in fact normal, and we're just having the wool pulled over our eyes.  In the context of the film, the characters are sat outside a clairvoyant event looking for the people planted in the crowd, gathering information that can be used to convince them later that the person in front of them is able to read minds and talk to the dead.

At this stage De Niro's character is introduced, Simon Silver is a man who has lost his sight, but gained psychic powers.  And as both Sigourney's and Cillian's characters have history when it comes to being upset by people claiming to have some sort of psychic powers, they both undoubtedly want to see Silver exposed for the fraud he is (Matheson's history involves a son who is on a life support machine that she refuses to turn off as she doesn't believe in an afterlife.  Remember this for later, it's important).  Matheson is reluctant as she knows the dangers of going up against Silver, Buckley disregards this and just goes in all guns blazing....so far, still enjoying the film.

Matheson then dies, and as Buckley's attempts to uncover Silver as a fraud get more desperate, all kinds of weird goings on occur.  I'm suspending my skepticism as the sudden increase in 'unexplained goings on' is inline with Buckley's deteriorating mental state.

Then in an attempt to pull a Sixth Sense style cat out of the bag, the wheels fall off.  Whilst Sliver is exposed as a fraud (owing to the fact he can see), it turns our Buckley is the one with powers.  He being the cause of all the weirdness.  He knew this all along.  That for me is the nail in the coffin.  Knowing the situation with Matheson and her son, yet still keeping his mouth shut about the actual existence of some kind of paranormal just didn't sit well with me. 

In my opinion, Matheson should have also slipped into a coma, and the end scene of Buckley turning off the son's life support should have included Matheson as well.

The film started with great potential, but lost it's way with the ending.  Great performances from those involved make it worth the watch none the less.