Being cast in the lead role of David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis was certainly an eyebrow raiser. What's even more pleasantly surprising is the fact the young Brit more than holds his own in a film that labours under the weight of its own pretentiousness.
Eric Packer (Pattinson) is a billionaire asset manager and financial whizz out on the hunt for a haircut.
Decked out in fitted suits and surveying his kingdom from the comfort of a pimped-out stretch limousine, Packer's day - and life - begins to crumble before his eyes as he comes into contact with a raft of characters who all play a part in his downfall.
The first thing to note regarding Cosmopolis is the fact it's a painfully faithful adaptation to Don DeLillo's equally dull novel. With that cloud already hanging over it, Cronenberg's latest film fails to live up to the promise of the brilliant trailer. It's amazing what some nifty editing can do!
Driven by dialogue that leaves most of the cast seeming like they're trying to wade through treacle, it becomes clear this is going to be a slog.
Chat between characters revolves around financial markets, the downfall of capitalism, currency and everything involving money that sits in-between.
If that wasn't off-putting enough, some of the cast don't look comfortable bringing the script to life - mainly because a lot of what is said doesn't engage the audience.
Proceedings are not helped by too many one-dimensional characters who pop into Eric's limo to talk about not much, or purely for sexual pleasure. It doesn't really matter - it all becomes rather tedious. Juliet Binoche brings nothing special to the show. The same can be said for Samantha Morton and Jay Baruchel. They appear then disappear, never to be heard of again.
By the time it's revealed someone is intent on killing Packer some people may be beyond caring, such is the effort it takes to reach that point.
Ultimately, for many, Cosmopolis will be a film to determine whether Pattinson can hack it with the more 'adult' directors and film-makers in the industry.
With Cronenberg at the helm, R-Patz flourishes - with his character covering everything from carefree and promiscuous to vulnerable and accepting of his fate.
He's certainly helped along the way by a 20-minute exchange with Paul Giamatti - the highlight of the film - that sees him cover the whole gamut of emotions, including self-harming.
Unfortunately, the rest of the film fails to sparkle - even with some nice aesthetics and a death that's quite unexpected.
While Pattinson is absorbing in a role that could be help him shake off the Twilight baggage, he's hindered by a script that's achingly dull. Some Cronenberg fans may love it. Many will presumably be left somewhat short-changed.
