Great cast done in by rotten script and direction

Rating: 3/10 (3 October 2004)

This movie is almost so bad it hurts. You hurt because your body goes stiff from holding a confused look on your face for way too long your muscles freeze up.
This "Its okay to be who you are" tale is one of the most uneven films in memory. A sterling cast is let down by script that is obvious, soon to date, and not funny, as well as direction that hammers home every single point. Things that should put you on the floor with laughter have you shaking your head at how unfunny they are. Only the bits with Marty Scorsese have any real punch and are funny from start to finish (And all of his scenes with De Niro are classic).
Yes, the animation is fantastic. The work on De Niro's Don Lino is simply some of the best character animation ever put on screen and will be a yard stick for years to come. And yes, there are some funny bits, but they operate in a vacuum and so fail to provoke any real laughter.
If you must see this wait for video, or better cable. This is a car wreck.
3 out of 10.