Iconic

Rating: 9/10 (8 May 2009)

You have to start with the key thing. This movie has one of the most stupendous endings you're ever going to see. Thrilling, revolting, excruciating. You can put yourself in the place of any of Pitt, Freeman or Spacey and it just has to play out this way. The unbelievable tension is created in a seemingly static situation. Spacey and Freeman watch Pitt. Pitt knows he's being gamed, knows what he must not do, for everyone's sake, and yet, the provocation! Who could not respond to that provocation? When I feel myself doing the stupid, irrational thing, I often think of this movie. Maybe this is the layman's example of temporary insanity, when a totally understandable emotional force overwhelms one's intellect.
Wonderfully acted of course by Freeman and Spacey and Pitt. In my opinion, pretty much the only Brad Pitt movie I would say that about, maybe save Thelma and Louise. Spacey's psychotic intellect suggests the more famous Dr. Lecter, though Spacey doesn't have as much time or cards to play in his end-of-movie role.