Not quite there

Rating: 7/10 (18 May 2016)

This Clint Eastwood directed crime-drama attempts something, which it does not ultimately deliver in the end. There's great tension, good acting, lots of plot action at work, but in the end that amazing twist, that release of all the tension we were looking for watching for about 2hrs20min just doesn't happen, and we get an ending and resolution that tries to mend the pieces together and just doesn't seem to even agree with itself, like it's the film that's disappointed at itself and the viewer along with it. It's just not convincing enough when you take into account the weight and expectations of the whole film. Some premises are left with an un-quenched thirst for more, like the shackles don't come off right enough at the end. It's still a very solid film starring excellent actors Bacon, Robbins, and the whole supporting cast is made of great actors who play their part very well. Cinematography's good. But in terms of story and especially that ending, there's just not enough to call this a great movie by any stretch.