Disappointing

Rating: 5/10 (26 May 2008)

It's actually rare that I'm disappointed by a movie. I usually know what I'm getting myself into - be it Hollywood blockbuster or something more cerebral.
I figured this would be a pretty good, thoughtful movie showing a factually based story that I found interesting. Instead, much of the script and action was completely disbelievable, such that it spoiled the movie completely for me. Fine in a movie where you expect incredulity, but not in a movie based on factual events.
There were so many 'as if' moments during the movie that I lost all faith in the rest of the movie. Having watched 'American Gangster' the other day, also based on fact, it was like night and day.
The script was particular poor I thought and I actually found Kevin Spacey's performance quite hammy and suffering from the poor dialogue - particularly the scene towards the end where he is at the Alumni meeting and is pulled back into the final hustle.
It all started going wrong for me when lead character Ben Campbell first walks into the 'meeting of thieves' and is propositioned to join the card counting group. Kevin Spacey turning from witty lecturer into gang leader at the bat of an eye... The dramatic proposition. Please.
I nearly gave up watching before the end - and that almost never happens to me. Pity really... But I won't be losing any sleep over it!