There is a point, but it's a stupid one

Rating: 1/10 (18 August 2012)

I had watched the trailer for this insipid mess many years before I actually tried to watch it tonight. I had always heard that it was terrible but I had no idea that it would be terrible because of its supposed point of view.
Forget all the nonsense you hear about Keanu Reeves giving the worst performance of his life. He is just fine. The problem is that his character is so stupid and oblivious to what is happening until the very end. And when he finally gets it, the plot thins with a spectacularly insipid finale or as I would like to call it "tacked on ending". It sort of reminded me of the end of "Basic Instinct", although less subtle.
If you are so inclined as to watch a bad film do so for Al Pacino's final scene. It is so steeped in over-the-top acting, but it's kind of funny how much he invests in it. Do not see this film to get some real insight into religion or for that matter, the law or the American dream. If Taylor Hackford, the director, was trying to make a point about lawyers equaling devil worship, then I think he was about 20 years behind schedule. Even an episode of L.A. Law got that point across more succinctly.
I do not regret seeing this, though. I make it a point of seeing something shallow every two months or so. Then I switch to The Bold and the Beautiful for some really insightful storytelling.
Note: The last remark was meant as a joke. I do not find The Bold and the Beautiful nearly as insightful as Melrose Place.