A very absorbing movie

Rating: 9/10 (19 March 2011)

Yes, it's too long. Yes, there are lots of goofs. And, if you watch closely enough, errors of time and place. But, this is one movie that is worth watching closely. Even if, as I found at the fourth sitting through a TV showing, you have to watch a raft of cleverly placed product-placement ads. OK, we know that FedEx comes out of it well. And Snickers bars. And Wilson the sports goods maker. But it does not improve a movie to show ads for men's deodorant. Nevertheless, it is a truly absorbing show. On TV the film runs for three hours. But it remains watchable. Looking back at the several versions of this film that I have seen, it is apparent that many viewers have not seen the original hardtop version. An example: In one TV version, the suicide attempt has been cut. In another, it is elaborated in a conversation between Chuck and his friend. Perhaps television broadcasters have their own agenda with regard to timing of programs. In one TV version there is much footage wasted with no significant visuals. Is this so that ads could be inserted by local operators? I believe that good movies (and this is a very good movie) deserve better.