Excellent performances push film over the top.

Rating: 9/10 (12 March 2000)

Although the film could have been cut down a little, the excellent performances, especially Albert Finney's, made this movie a winner. I saw the film during a sneak preview and it had the audience riveted. In fact, it applauded when the movie finished, something I haven't witnessed since I was a little kid and that was standard behavior. At times the movie had parts of "A Civil Action" and "Silkwood," but Julia Roberts and Finney, along with the others, gave this film its own flavor. It's too bad it was released when it was, because I fear the performances will long be forgotten when Oscar nominations come around next year.