Greatest Movie in the History of Film

Rating: 10/10 (27 December 2005)

I have seen many movies and I like many different types of stories but over the years after many viewings I have come to the conclusion that this is possibly the best film ever made.
I saw the movie when I was a young teenager - I thought it was entertaining at best but I really didn't have an appreciation for it. When I saw it as an adult I walked away from it realizing that it was brilliant.
Dustin Hoffman's performance is hilarious but nuanced and genius at the same time. The direction style was unprecedented at the time and it change cinema forever - there have been many copycats since. It also was a sort of generational groundbreaker.
The soundtrack is classic - simply great - by the then relatively unknown Simon and Garfunkel.
All of the performances are really funny yet amazingly nuanced and done with such care and scrutiny.
There is nothing sappy about the movie and it's not a typical feel good movie - people often rate movies on how good the movie makes them feel.
Ben - the main character - who is being led through life by his parents plans - breaks away from his mundane existence to fight for real feelings and real passion in a real way.
I don't think the balance between comedy, drama, great performances, and great writing has ever been done as well.