Sparks Fly

Rating: 8/10 (1 March 2006)

A movie of great pain and complexity. It takes the suffering of each character and winds it up a notch. The ugly opening scene of the sexual assault (even though not on screen) is something that every one of us can understand. For that child to be dumped back into his neighborhood, first as a victim, then a pariah, is really sad. These boys become men and husbands and fathers. They wear their violence on their sleeves. They don't respect--they strike out--without thought. Others back away. Some say the acting is a little overdone--but that would make Brando's performance in "Streetcar" overdone. Everyone is wound so tightly. There are several scenes that are so riveting, the death of Sean Penn's daughter at the top of the list. Penn's reaction is so memorable, as is the subdued performance of Kevin Bacon's homicide cop. As the the angst and tension build to a conclusion, we want these guys to find some happiness. Unfortunately, the die is cast in this gut wrenching film. Clint Eastwood at his best.