Another undeserved Academy Award nomination

Rating: 6/10 (5 November 2013)

Not unlike Katherine Bigelow's 2008 decent, but overrated "The Hurt Locker", this is not a film that merited an Academy Award nomination, let alone a win in multiple categories, because it dealt with a very limited (in scope and human importance) specific time and place, rather than a universal and timeless theme. And so it will simply not enjoy or realize longevity in the must- have, always-want-to-watch DVD category. The fact that this was nominated for and did in fact win Academy Awards is testimony to the vapid mentality of the Hollywood establishment. All-too recognizable character actors and an all-too easy directorial style rend to reducing this movie to merely interesting for the discerning.