| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A- |
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|
| Visuals: |
A |
|
|
Truly amazing acting and a great story
by T (movies profile)
Jan 22, 2007
16
of
19 people found this review helpful
I went to see this film mainly because of all of the attention from the Golden Globes and from the Oscars. I went expecting great things and my expectations were well received. Sean Penn gave an Academy Award worthy performance, showing gut-wrenching emotion, rage and grief. There was not one moment of screen time when I could see Sean Penn the actor...he lived his role--and that is what acting is all about. Tim Robbins, a favorite actor of mine, also gave an amazing Oscar worthy performance. While Penn portrayed his rage, Robbins showed the broken down side of a man who has gone through a hard past. The look of fear and anger in his eyes in some shots is just captivating. Marcia Gay Harden gave another amazing performance as the confused, scared and suspicious wife of Robbins' character--the scene at the end with her in the crowd at the parade was the capstone for me. All in all, the three top performers were Penn, Robbins, and Harden. Kevin Bacon was unspectacular as most of his roles are. He just seemed a little too detatched from his character. Eastwood's direction nailed the emotional feel of this film and set standards for other directors in the future.
I probably wont go back and see this film again and again but I will remember the powerful story, superb acting and tasteful directing...and maybe I'll see it just a few more times.
This film was not the best picture of the year but it was ONE of the best. Penn and Robbins deserve the Oscars for their performances and Harden deserves the nod (I will have to go with Renee Zellweger for best supporting actress for Cold Mountain).
This is the kind of film that goes beyond generic Hollywood sap...it truly is pure emotion...with real people. |
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