Almost the entire movie IS character development

Rating: 9/10 (29 September 2009)

This is an excellent thriller, if you like to watch real movies. If so, you will be treated to real characters, real story, real drama. I can't add much to the review by Giancarlo, except that I think music could have played a more prominent more, but maybe in this case, 'less is more'. Pacino is excellent, the progression of his character through the movie is so real, you feel what he is going through. The meeting between him an William's is great stuff..."You don't get it. You're my job. You're about as mysterious to me as a block toilet is to a plumber. Reason for doing what you did? Who gives a f..."
The supporting cast is excellent, especially Swank showing why she is now such renowned actress (this was after her first Oscar, but before her second) The only odd one is Williams, but it probably my prejudice against him because I grew up watching ever since he was Mork, so bad guy doesn't seem real. Nonetheless, he does it well enough, considering he's working out of his style and up against with two drama pros Pacino and Swank.
There's no mystery, because we know who did it early on, the drama lies elsewhere, and it's a really good story.
There's a lot of great scenes, just one great scene after another. I can pick up this movie at any point when it's on cable and watch it again. A very underrated movie, if you like drama you will be entertained.