by far the best work of Clint Eastwood

Rating: 9/10 (18 June 2009)

This is, reportedly, a so called "true" story. That probably means that it at least is somewhat true. That little truth stretches a long way, however, and the story finds relevancy even today. It points out the simple truth, that if you are criminal it's much easier to be that if, at the same time, you are the police. In fact, it is such a nice set up, that all of us should always be on the lookout for it, regardless of which country we live in or, expressed somewhat differently, we ought to suspect foul play if the police is never accused, because that means that the crooks have expanded their realm and have the media in their pockets as well. Not so in this picture. There is a reverend here that has broad access to the media, seemingly even better access than the police. That's always a good thing. In a country in which the police is often accused in the media and occasionally brought down, there is always hope for at least some justice. You see, this is what this good film makes me think of. We may look at this film and say "yes, these were the dark ages" (the story takes place in the twenties and thirties) but we might just as well say "yes, these were the days of justice, when the police could be convicted". And there is a good swift kick at psychiatry as well.