Ignore the hype to avoid disappointment

Rating: 9/10 (6 February 2000)

Ignore the hype to avoid disappointment. A good movie, and a winner for Spacey. The characters are multi-layered, convincing, and full of surprises. It moves from human drama about dysfunctional families to a thriller and mystery over how the lead character dies (that's not spoiling it - the voiceover at the beginning announces that he only has a year to live). A bit less money spent on it and it would be the American equivalent of the European movie, acutely observed, natural-seeming characters as they go about their lives - a bit like The Ice Storm. But this movie develops beyond that - the character developments are clear cut and powerful - even unnerving. A film that seems destined for long-term greatness.