a screen-writing tour de force

Rating: Null/10 (3 December 2003)

Whether based on the book or simply on the screen writer's own personal good judgment, this film delivers some surprisingly satisfying scenes of verbal exchange. In the kitchen after his daughter's funeral, Jimmy Markham (Sean Penn) converses with his father-in-law in a remarkably naturalistic way, showing anger and sadness without overdoing a single note of his tone, and timing his responses perfectly. Of course Clint Eastwood's skilful directing has much to do with this seamless weaving together of narrative scenes. Thought the plot poses a question mark for the audience at the end regarding the motive of the murderer, this can be largely overlooked by the masterful interplay of three or four main themes. This is a grand philosophical thriller of the highest order.