Indeed. Somebody comes up with half an idea and before completing it, they reverse the story to get an easy ending. Originally it was thought that this was a clever element after films like the Usual Suspects. Suddenly it became cool to twist everything. All three Mission:Impossible films have done it - all three! It was OK to do it on the first one as an idea that hadn't been explored and was fairly believable, but a disavowed member on the second and a guy with alternative morals on the third just looked like borrowed ideas.
This continued on films like Shutter Island (basic copy of Identity), Unknown and of course Wanted. Some exceptions include Fight Club and the Matrix which explored the idea of betrayal in other forms and wasn't so institutionalised.
Luckily we have films like Inception, Dark Knight, Social Network, Meet the Parents, Inside Man etc which give the characters depth and consistency and doesn't willfully attempt to make a mockery of the audience. The stories is told fully in the spirit with which it was born.
This film however had so much potential, we could be sitting here discussing the inner truths portrayed in the film and could have inspired (men, in particular) to take control of their lives. As quick and as strongly as the wake up call came, the audience were re-sedated with the 'Luke, I am your father moment' tearing away the explosion of well being that came when McAvoy's character realised that he had a higher purpose in life than being stuck where he was. However, as his higher purpose turned out to be a lie, a lie which also wanted him dead, he looked as big a loser as when he first started. Even the money in his account had been drained.
I could go on but I would say that we do have other films like Vanilla Sky and Dark Knight that point out certain truths if you are listening. In particular the Joker who says:
"...they need you now, but when they don't, they'll cast you out...like a leper. See their morals - their 'code'; it's a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. When the chips are down, these 'civilised' people(?) They'll eat each other..."
Who knows, maybe they'll eventually make a film where it is the protagonist carrying life's truths, rather than the antagonist.
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