Even better than the book. - SPOILERS

Rating: Null/10 (15 March 2004)

When I read the book last summer, I was taken by the story as it was told because living in Massachusetts, I could visualize the particular community written about. The plot line in the very beginning is so innocuous, I was startled when the Dave kidnapping took place.
This film followed the book so closely, that in the scene behind the bar when Jimmy is going to kill Dave, I got such a sense of actually being there and and having already witnessed it, when in fact I read it.
The talent of the actors was outstanding. Even Kevin Bacon as the old friend/investigator did so much to make his character appealing and real.
I read somewhere that Clint Eastwood's style of direction is to let things happen. Only a director of his stature and intelligence along with the highly gifted cast of characters could make this film really come alive.
This film is multi-layered. The coincidence of Dave being blamed for the murder of Jimmy's daughter, when in actuality he is pummeling an active pedophile, keeps all on edge. The ending is a surprise, because we forget he did NOT kill this girl. Marcia Gay Harding is a really nervous, upset and suspicious wife. I wanted to strangle her at times because after all Dave went through, he ended up with a wimp wife.
This is a film you don't forget. It is not light and fluffy but will entertain you in a dark way because we all have dark thoughts and can certainly identify.