The ballpark is a small dot

Rating: 10/10 (7 February 2014)

I didn't really want to like this movie. And after reading some of the reviews it seemed people were disappointed there wasn't enough action. Well - maybe because I detest action movies - this was a huge plus for me. Now we can concentrate on good storytelling and character development, of which there was plenty. The improvisational method with which the director chose to film was very fitting. As one reviewer mentioned, it made it more believable rather than a too perfect plan that doesn't let one piece slip up. The actors surprised me as well. Before I saw it I thought the roles of the wife and mistress should have been reversed. But Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence owned their respective parts and now I can't imagine each one playing the others character. And what can you really say about Christian Bale? He just excels in any film he's in - thereby stealing the movie. If I were an actor I would hate to share screen time with him. As far as the other common complaint here of why this movie is not like Goodfellas or the Grifters - well, there's a good reason for that - because it is not! If you're expecting Robert DeNiro blatantly blowing gangsters away - you won't find that. Instead what you will find is Robert DeNiro in one of the most chilling and intense roles he's had in a long time.