An Outstanding Film - see it by all means

Rating: 10/10 (31 May 2009)

I've come not to expect much from Nicholas Cage's movies. Outrageous plots seem to be his mainstay. However this film is simply gripping. How can I tell if a film is good? 2 ways. 1.If I'm not conscious of sitting in a theater, fidgeting in my seat and 2. If I am brought to tears and/or other gripping emotions.
This film accomplished both. It surprised me, shocked me, AND brought me to tears. Simply outstanding. I've read the letters of complaints by others but they seem to come from juvenile viewers. I've also read the list of errors found in the film but they border on the outrageous (the wrong conductor's cap? c'mon!) Everything was not sweetness and light however, e.g. I was not happy with the quasi-religious ending.
But I found this film to be so outstanding and memorable that even now - 7 days later - Beethoven's 2nd movement of the 7th symphony still plays in my head and I find myself wondering about the importance of life.