Director Philip J. Jones' emphasis on deliberate pacing and developing an arid atmosphere will put off genre fans looking for hardcore thrills; that's too bad, because Jones has done better than average by crafting an engaging story with noir-like overtones and gentle surprises that don't get in the way of convincing performances. Tough-guy Robert Patrick, cast against type as a desert-dwelling geek, does surprisingly well in a sympathetic role and Jennifer Esposito is sufficiently alluring without stooping to B-movie moll caricature. Thriller, crime, and drama audiences with patience will enjoy this bit of something different.