Going back to the performance though, you say it's one of Jackman's worst... that he's "one note, one dimensional, no grace, no inner thoughts, devoid of dimension, and humanity". Why do you believe that his performance should be anything but those things? Isn't that the point of the character? Aren't you making a judgement about how someone whose child has been abducted should act?
That's a great point and I would agree with you IF it weren't for the fact that he is the protagonist, he is the character we are supposed to sympathize with, the guy we spent the most time with, etc. IF he weren't these things and the Detective was more in the forefront, I honestly wouldn't have mind it as much. But since he doesn't change, he isn't sympathetic, devoid of dimension, etc., then there's no reason why we should spend the majority of the film with him.
I tend to agree that a protagonist should, for purposes of making one care about what's going on, not be beyond redemption (disclaimer: I say "should" but I realize of course that there are no absolutes, and that successful exceptions probably exist). And I see now that you're not making a judgment about how someone whose child has been abducted should act, but a judgment about how a
protagonist whose child has been abducted should act... from a "make me care about this story" standpoint.
I get that. I've felt the same way about other protagonists in other films.
I think for myself Jackman's character never hit that
beyond redemption point, and so that's why I was still invested during "dragging" middle, and "pulp" end. I was conflicted about his actions (of course), but not outright condemnatory. And because of that I stayed engaged.
I agree with 1SO that it is "presenting a specific set of circumstances" but don't feel (or itch) that it did so with a particular ideological position in mind. I think it's "presenting a specific set of circumstances" to make you chew it over and come to whatever conclusion you like, or reassess a position you already hold, not change anyone's mind.
That said, oughtn't your beef be with the writer, not Jackman? He merely played the "devoid of dimension" character laid out for him.