Tries to be even more than a story of a police murder and kidnapping investigation, but also a character study of people in a small town. Problem is it doesn't do either very well. The people are more depressing/boring than interesting. No doubt how Hollywood sees small town folks...and probably why the guy Winslet connects with is an author/professor from somewhere else. And the murder and kidnapping is more contrivances not remotely smart or suspenseful.