Very Well Done, but...

Rating: 10/10 (12 November 2004)

I gave the movie an overall 10 but it left plenty room for the critics. It is a very well done movie but it dabbles in some areas that may disturb conservatives and people with religious roots. There is one stretch when the movie lingers about 15 to 20 minutes too long on absolutely nothing productive. The movie has moments of brilliance, but the women in the movie seem a bit exaggerated whiny and shallow. The soundtrack is the best in years and Jamie Foxx just crossed over from a "B" actor to the big time. The movie is a bit graphic with the drug scenes but it needs to drive the point home. Heroin has destroyed many families and affected the lives of millions. The movie makes a moral and social statement, but briefly hints at spiritualism with flashbacks and/or figments of the title character's imagination. A great movie for parents to use as a springboard to a nice conversation about peer pressure, personal responsibility and triumph.