A jigsaw of scenes that created a disappointing picture

Rating: 6/10 (16 February 2007)

The film starts with a car crash and ends with a car crash and sandwiched in between is a mish-mash of scenes that I found difficult to follow.
The film is well cast and the music is great. It would have been a great improvement to have had the option of English sub-titles. Because there was so much Afro-American dialogue, I could not easily decipher most of it except for the expletives of which there was plenty.
It's a very unpleasant film with scarcely one happy character. If this truly represents a slice of American life, I am sorry to say the USA has a doubtful future.
Some of the individual scenes are very well done, I liked the argument which ensued when the locksmith changed the lock but was unwilling to fix the door. It was a very exciting moment when the little girl jumped into her daddy's arms just as the gun was fired. And evidently a policeman does not like to be laughed at. He can become very touchy indeed with dire consequences. Despite some good scenes the whole was disappointing.
We know there is racism in America. We don't need a film like this with its sledge hammer approach to remind us. I don't think this film has accomplished anything. It's a pity because the actors are so competent.
Let us hope for something a little more optimistic next time..something a little more positive in its outlook...or we'll all end up taking anti-depression pills.