Not a Four Star Film

Rating: 5/10 (28 October 2007)

I like everyone involved with this film, but it just doesn't work.
Casey Affleck is an excellent actor, but too young and too white to portray his character believably. He looked like a tenth grader hanging around with tough cops, dealers and coke heads. He didn't sell it, he couldn't sell it.
Michelle Monaghan's character lacked any depth. She is one cute chick and I think she is a great actor, but I found myself feeling sorry for her as she was forced to recite such uninspired lines.
Ed Harris overacted. I love Ed Harris, but in this case, it is almost as if he approached the role as film noir. He looked more like a dying AIDS patient than a cop. There was not a drop Cajun in his characterization.
Amy Ryan turned in a superb individual acting performance as the coke whore mother. If any one actor deserves nomination for award, she does.
Morgan Freeman just uttered his lines in his Morgan Freeman voice without any great effort or emotion. It was the easiest money the guy ever made.
The film is cliché, not particularly well done or exceptional in any way.