Intense and Uncomfortable

Rating: 7/10 (3 May 2011)

You squirm at amateurism of some of the characters because the film draws you in so successfully. Al Pacino typically does a lot of screaming. He also defies the viewer to think he's acting. You find yourself feeling a little sick, knowing that something has to go wrong, but not knowing when or how. Being based on a true story it comes off as a period piece, but actually the film does not post date the actual events so much. There is no sense of dated film-making or performances. The question for the potential viewer is just what kind of film experience they want to have. Sure, there are times you mentally cheer or laugh or find some victory, but this hopeless situation takes a poke at society from a number of angles. It's not light viewing by any means, but is an example of film-making that one rarely sees these days. A must for anyone who watches films for more than just an entertaining way to kill time.