A Masterpiece of American Cinema

Rating: 10/10 (5 October 2018)

From the vague but beautiful opening shot with the eerie bowed-saw to the symbolic and tragic ending, it is difficult to not become fully immersed.
Every role, even the non-speaking ones are played marvelously. Every actor, especially Nicholson and Fletcher, totally embody their characters.
The fluctuation between high intensity to absolute hilarity to shocking twists and the breaking of the human spirit despite man's innate desire to revolt against such things, is captured here perfectly. It's the perfect borderline uncomfortable mix that sticks with you, one you won't find anywhere else because whether you like it or not, it's there and it's real.
This is Jack Nicholson at his finest, possibly even at his peak. While it is quite different from the novel, the strength of the acting, directing and the desire for a grounded film shedding light on a subject that still has a stigma attached to it.
Through the film, the funny scenes as well as the heart-wrenching ones, are all undercut with a realistic looming sense of dread. The acting, directing and quality of a screenplay adapted very differently from the novel were carried out and executed perfectly.
This film is tragic, but enchanting. Hypnotizing.