Sad, disturbing, but smarts.

Rating: 9/10 (23 July 2002)

This is a strong movie. Very strong. It's not easy to watch in certain respects, but *commands* respect because it comes across as so honest.
It's basically about the effects of drugs, and how they proceed to destroy the lives of 4 individuals around whom the story is focused. The intriguing thing is not all the drugs are illegal.
The performances, particularly from Ellen Burstyn, are excellent. In fact, she is outstanding, and the rest of the cast are highly commendable.
It's a very difficult movie to describe, because it doesn't follow the usual movie plot structure. It benefits from this fact and seems more 'real', somehow. There is only one moment which seems daft and contrived, but given the effective grit of the rest of it you'll forgive it.
Overall, a very well constructed movie which makes no apologies for its content.