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This is a curious misstep for the guy who won the Oscar for L.A. Confidential. Even A Knight's Tale held together better than this often hilarious collection of arch dialog and corny plotting. Firstly, the entire idea of a sin eater no longer works in a religiously diverse world that doesn't need the Roman Church to save its soul! But if you put your brain aside, you'll enjoy the ominous pronouncements ("The dark pope rises!") and the ludicrously convoluted back-stories. The cast does what they can: Ledger is in mopey Ned Kelly mode when he needs far more energy to take us with him. Addy is merely comic relief. Furmann provides a sinister, surprisingly enticing counterpoint. And poor Sossamon seems wedged into the film as an afterthought; her character has little to do with the story ... and how an escaped mental patient can travel internationally is anyone's guess! The film has an over-the-top production design that never lets up--candle-lit gothic spaces, murky dust-filled lofts, lots of creepy door-knocking and wing-rustling, utterly gratuitous special effects. But the script has moments of lucid intelligence and sharp wit to balance the continual silliness. No, it's never scary or even creepy for a second, but there's a trashy goofiness that gives it cult value. If you'll pardon the pun.