Acting Great, Story Horrible

Rating: 7/10 (10 March 2008)

So glad I did not spend any money to see this and saw it on cable. The last 20 minutes/ending ruined the entire film. Made me dislike Sean Penn's character and the character's stupid, selfish wife. It left me with no sympathy for their family, only the two surviving daughters who had idiots for parents. Dave Boyle was the hero, rising above the worst pain and conflict, struggling to become a complete man (true to his wife and son) defending another victim only to be victimized again not by strangers this time by those whom he considered friends. Boyle's neighbors and companions were ignorant, limited people and his conflicted wife was equally as pitiful. Horrible story, but unfortunately very typical of life where the characters were not beautiful, unique, or had any outstanding qualities -- struggle with the very basics of life. Because of this, the scenery and setting was the best part. Would have liked to see Dave Boyle's "wolves" be punished.