Plot doesn't hit me, but Robbins stays wit' me

Rating: Null/10 (24 October 2003)

I have to say that this film doesn't quite work: for one thing, the
score enters in at all those high emotion moments to too high a
degree. The plot twists and turns don't quite make sense, with the
final killer revealed seeming almost like a Scooby Doo ending.
However, the real loss here for me is that the ending does not do
Dave's character justice. So, he's been killed and put in the river.
He's missing. And the last thing we see is the river, almost like
that last shot in Psycho where the jeep is being pulled out of the
pond. However, this shot gives no indication of him being located,
just "washed away" as is Jimmy's sin seemingly washed away by
his wife. All he can do is throw up his hands when Bacon gives
him that hard stare.

This is a shame especially because the only character that really
hits you is Robbins, besides Fishburne as Sean's partner Whitey.
Robbins, as partnered with a wonderfully alive Marcia Gay Harden,
is cynical, hopeful, scared, frightening, nurturing, delusional, funny,
cunning, smart: in short, he is human and multi-dimensional.
Sean Penn doesn't seem to be able to find all the angles on
Jimmy Markham.

So, in the end, if this goes up for anything, I would hope it wins
Robbins a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Besides that, I wouldn't
award it a thing: yes, it is all about acting and drama and plot.
However, just because you're making an "adult" film as opposed
to a kid's movie, you still have to show skill. FInding Nemo was
better plotted and executed than this, Clint. Better luck next time.