Look closer...indeed

Rating: Null/10 (25 June 2003)

The tagline of this film is "Look Closer..." Well, indeed you should. Look closer and you'll see this is NOT the most original and realistic story ever, this is NOT the best directorial debut ever and this is certainly NOT the masterpiece everybody claims it to be...
Well what is it than ? It's an average, rather boring film but, with great performanes from the whole cast. You have to give it that, the whole cast couldn't be better and as for Spacey : he really deserved the Oscar. But all this can't save the film from boredom. In general, I like 'weird' characters. I loved Donnie Darko and he's pretty weird. But these are just way over the top. It ain't very psychological to film a plastic bag for 15 minutes and see the beauty of life in it. That Wes Bentley guy beats it all by the way. I don't believe a weirdo with a camera can sell drugs and make a fortune out of it. When such a guy came to a normal school he would get beaten up ! Especially if he wears that stupid hat.
I do have to admit this film has an impact on you when you watch it the first time. It all seems very risky and innovating and especially the characters make a lot of impression to you. So, yeah, the first time I saw it I liked it and I wanted to see it again. But when that happened I really wonder WHAT exactly it was that fascinated me so much. It just seemed boring and so sloooooooooooooooooow. The 3rd time I saw it ( right before this review ) I thought it was a complete mess. Only the actors get some credit after this viewing. Everybody claims Sam Mendes ( Director ) is the best thing since sliced bread, but he sure is not in my opinion. Road to Perdition was boring as well. There were a lot of good films in 1999, The Green Mile to name just one, who all were a lot better than this one. I recommend them ! And if you do want to see this...make sure you only watch it once. My humble opinion : 3,5 / 10