Best film of the year

Rating: 10/10 (29 January 2005)

For the first time in years a true ensemble picture has been seen on the the big screen. There were no superfluous characters like in Gosford Park or other such lauded "ensemble" pictures, instead, four well rounded, detailed rich characters who command our attention and compassion throughout the film. The performances were incredible. Jude Law was able to convey weakness and pomposity, Julia Roberts (her best performance EVER) was both selfish and self loathing and academy award nominations for Clive Owen and Natalie Portman serve as the praise for their masterful portrayals. I was mesmerized from beginning to end, with everything from the script to the execution of the actual storytelling. The exclusion of this film from the best picture category, and the inclusion of the cutesy Neverland, shows that the academy is not watching enough movies.