A truly excellent movie, the way Hollywood used to make them

Rating: 9/10 (8 May 1999)

I had decided I would see this movie from the very beginning, and I was not disappointed. I was amazed by how involved the story was, and how each character was clearly developed. I got lost in the story, I watch it at least once a week. Most movie's lately lack that certain Hollywood magic, that feeling of grandeur. With the exception of Pleasantville, this is the only movie I saw last year that possessed that quality. It does not rely on special effects, or cliches, it simply asks you to follow this story, and it's characters, and I did. I felt that it was Oscar material in every way, and I regret the criticism it's been forced to take. As for the three hour running time, I say only this, it could not have been shorter, every moment was required to convey each detail. Since seeing it, I have gone back and watched other movies by Martin Brest, and this one was truly the most impressive.