Based on a TRUE story

Rating: 9/10 (13 August 1999)

Viewers should note that this film is based on a true story that appeared in both magazine and book format. Having read the original I can say that the film takes only a few liberties with the reported facts. This indeed an "original" story because it wasn't made up -- just like Serpico wasn't made up. (See earlier reviewer remarks.)
This is indeed a gut wrenching film. Penn does overact a little and the final scene seems like a bad effort to make sure audiences don't walk away too depressed. But overall, this was a movie that HAD to be made.