Degrading to victims of childhood abuse - lousy

Rating: Null/10 (20 June 2004)

Spoiler Alert Performance wise, not what I've come to expect from Sean Penn. Clint Eastwood should be ashamed of himself. One of the most powerful themes running through the movie was childhood sexual abuse and Clint treats this theme like so much garbage. Throughout the movie, the friends of the abused child (Tim Robbins),(now grown up) have abandoned him. He is referred to as "a basket case" and "damaged goods." And in the end, he is murdered and his death is treated as "no big deal, he was messed up anyway." Clint Eastwood and Tim Robbins should be ashamed of their insensitive portrayal of an abused child. Kevin Bacon delivered a ridiculous milk-toast portrayal of a cop and supposed friend. Do not waste your time and if you were sexually abused as a child, this movie will be very triggering - do not watch it.