Superlative Acting, Very Flawed Plot

Rating: 7/10 (18 December 2003)

Kudos to the cast, remarkable performances by Penn, Robbins (almost unrecognizable) and Harden, and to the drab realism created by Clint Eastwood. I knew, having read about 100 pages of the dreary (in the sense of sadness) novel that this would not be pleasant.
But powerful, imaginative acting and style can overcome such hurdles, witness the brilliant "Unforgiven" and most of Shakepeare's tragedies.
BUT ---- SPOILERS!! PLEASE DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER!
Oh come on, one can allow a coincidence or two, but three!? The blame goes to the author (not "LA Confidential" scripter Brian Hegleland, unless he altered the book). In the story, poor Dave waits, what more than 25 years?, then commits a heinous murder at precisely the time the other victim is murdered. Same day, same time. And who commits this horrible act, not only a pair of unlikely criminals, but a duo who seem totally unlikely to then chase her and beat her and shoot her a second time! Two absurdities. But then, of course, the third strike is the misguided act of revenge that occurs JUST before to this case being solved.

Look, if the set-up is going to be worthy, such contrivances reduce a wonderfully crafted work to a cheat. Sorry folks, but good luck at Awards Time to the super actors.