Better than what everyone expected...

Rating: 9/10 (7 July 2004)

I for one was very surprised by this film. Lots of things could've gone wrong with this film in my opinion. For one, I don't care for Ashton Kutcher, I think he's a smartass and his show is not very funny (better than Jackass though). The only other think the writer/directors have worked on is Final Destination 2, while that was a very entertaining picture, its very different than what this was set up to be. I was also worried that the film might be so heavily chopped by the studio and the MPAA that we wouldn't get to see it in all its glory. I was wrong on all accounts.
The acting was top notch from everyone involved, the child actors were amazing and I've never seen acting that good from kids their age. Kutcher was a big surpise, I was pleased to see that he wasn't just the smartass guy on Punk'd but he actually could pull off a deep performance. I had never heard of Amy Smart but she was good in the film as well.
I can safely say now that New Line is perhaps the most ballsy studio out there. They take big risks with the majority of the movies they produce, and this one was yet another winner. This movie has alot of touchy and mature subject matter and its great to see a big mainstream studio take on this kind of project.
And nothing matches the greatness of the Directors Cut on the DVD. Go out and see this version of the film cause it is fantastic; although not much is added to the first and middle sections, the ending is worth it because it basically changes the entire tone of the movie you just saw. I've heard alot of people complain about lack of character development, I completely disagree with that, especially after viewing the Directors Cut.
Overall I gave this picture a 9/10, its entertaining, moving at times, well directed, written, and acted. Everything a movie should be...