A Cinematic Achievement of the Grandest Scale

Rating: 10/10 (13 June 2004)

The argument could be made that Penn's performance is a little over the top but at the same time can you remember a scene as powerful as the one in the park where he finds out his daughter is dead and has to be restrained. He absolutely commands the screen, he is a man among boys and he knows it. Unless your heart is made of rock it is impossible not to be moved by this story. That's what makes it so beautiful is that it's just a story about people and the dark side that can sometimes come out. We hear stories like this all the time and it never really registers with us that these events do happen and they have devastating effects on the individuals involved. This film brings that home. These are just ordinary people who have been besieged by tragedy. A masterpiece. Four Stars