Very Little Redeeming Here

Rating: 1/10 (2 June 2005)

I just don't get why everyone seems to drool over this piece of garbage. Tim Robbins is the only redeeming thing about it, and even then his character completely disolves when he confesses to the murder he didn't commit. His performance as the adult product of child abuse was top notch, but the admission is completely out of character. (I admit I haven't read the book, so maybe it's Lehane's fault). Everyone else's performance is so forced (including Penn's) and unbelievable I was appalled. It's also very un-Clint-like in its choppy direction. Robbins was the only one who came close to the Southie accent, and even he was pretty far away. Not a single character engendered any sympathy, and there wasn't a moment of suspense or uncertainty. In short, it was a poorly acted and directed movie with a predictable plot and unbelievable characters.