Brilliant execution of a story seen before

Rating: 9/10 (26 December 2001)

How many truly new stories does Hollywood produce these days? Not that many, really, if you think about it. I've walked out of the cinema bored stiff time and again, yet here for once I really enjoyed a film, even though I could have guessed what was coming next in the story.

The fact is that this one is really well made. It grips you from the first instant and you're watching all the time feeling sorry it'll have to be over eventually.
From the extremely convincing art direction - the late Sixties and Seventies (and some Eighties) outfits and hairdos, and more importantly, everything looking like those old photos, the colours somewhat too bright, to the pervasive hedonism of the period, it's all recreated there, and you just really enjoy seeing it done so well, the acting brilliant all the way.
The characters start out as likeable and believable, you want them to succeed because they look so innocent and genuinely happy.
I am not a huge fan of Johnny Depp but he was perfect here. He has this childlike joy about him as he counts the big bucks, you can't help but emphathise!
Franka Potente of Run Lola Run fame has a great part in the first half of the movie, another reason I loved watching the film.
Penelope Cruz isn't all pretty either, you watch her transition from glamour wife to nag, just like George's mother had been, and she executes with great talent.
The story is genuinely moving, and believe me, the standard Hollywood tear-jerkers only put me off, this one isn't like that.
Here's a film I'm actually going to go out and buy on DVD.