A piece of consummate professionalism...

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 2005)

I can't say enough about this film! Got to be a top five contender. The only point I want to make is this - if you have seen the film and not read the book, read the book! The film actually enhances the book, because you find yourself reading in Christian Bales' voice. It sounds strange, I know, but it happens. I really enjoyed reading the book again. The choice of scenes to leave out and those to briefly touch upon was obviously deliberated. I feel that the right decision was made. The film isn't short, but it doesn't drag either. My favourite scene is where he tells Evelyn that he has to return some videotapes. Bale gives someone off-screen the ultimate don't-mess-with-me look, for no apparent reason. It's the small things he does in the performance which truly makes it one of the best of all time! I really hope a special edition is released after the new Batman film launches him to where he belongs. A true masterpiece of an adaptation. Superb!