Disappointing, predictable and unfair

Rating: 3/10 (1 December 2004)

The first fifteen minutes of the film were great. I was intrigued. I was dancing for Clint Eastwood as a director. Then the movie was bogged down by over acting, and an over bloated script. Too much, always too much. I am a big fan of Sean Penn and a big fan of Tim Robbins. Glad they are now Oscar winners, but unfortunately not this film.
The ending was becoming more and more predictable as time lingered on. The script lost it's crisp insight and dynamics. Felt like the screenwriters had so many ideas to fill into these pages that they lost the plot, the reason for writing this screenplay.
The film should be used as an example of how everything in a film can start out right - from director, script, cast to technical crew and how, with inflated egos and no direction, fall apart. It is another mediocre attempt of Hollywood figures to create a great film. But there is not greatness to be found.
Too bad. I really had high expectations and really wanted to enjoy the film. Clint - go watch the one film Patty Jenkins directed, MONSTER. Sean and Tim watch Charlize Theron - she can teach all of Hollywood what acting should be.
Better luck next time.