Riveting and Compelling

Rating: 10/10 (14 April 2014)

This film is not for everyone. It demands that you pay complete attention to what is going on because so much is happening so fast that you practically sit there with your head spinning trying to keep up with it all. It is probably the most complex script I have ever been subjected to and it is just that complexity that is both riveting and compelling. The cast is uniformly superb - a true ensemble film - but Amy Adams steals every scene she is in because she is so beautiful - truly gorgeous - but beyond her knock-out looks there is a true magic to her that Disney certainly used in their film with her. There are a couple of scenes with her and Bradley Cooper that have to rate as the sexiest ever put on film and they will definitely get your heart pumping in a way it probably has never done before. Christopher Bale, on the other hand, proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that he is just about the best actor around he is so convincing in his part and in fact he manages once again to look so different you don't realize who it is at first. All of the elements of this film are excellent - the music - the settings - everything is first rate and top notch. But it is demanding and if you're looking for something light and frothy this is not the film for you.