Hits you in the gut

Rating: 10/10 (4 September 2006)

This film takes the most well-known weirdo in pre-Michael Jackson American history and exposes him as the great hero he actually was. Without turning it into a sickening flag-waving idol portrait... but by making you FEEL it in the gut instead. What a cinematic accomplishment.
Leonardo DiCaprio finally escapes the 'hunk yard', and comes out as the fine actor he actually is. Which surprised me the most, until my wife reminded me of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" True, he is talented far beyond the typecasting he sunk into on top of Titanic's stern, and we can only hope that this will be his springboard into some serious character stuff.
Everybody else has rightly praised Cate Blanchett, and all I can do is agree... and Alec Baldwin... and Alan Alda... but most of all, this is Scorsese at his very best.
FINAL GRADE: Stop wasting time reading this review, go out and buy the DVD instead.