Audience gets played

Rating: 8/10 (1 September 2006)

Form matters to the director of this film; every detail of cinematography, writing, and acting control the audience. Throughout the movie you must ask yourself, "Is this real or an illusion?" The movie is hard to bear in some parts. It's very thoughtful, but the plot drive suffers in a few key parts of the film. It is by no means a summer blockbuster, but an excellent film.
Giamatti's performance is outstanding. His acting is consistently excellent, and his ability to completely absorb himself into a part makes him really the only true character actor of our time. But equally impressive is the way that Norton's character is subtly revealed and his true mastery exposed bit by bit.
If you enjoy cerebral, deliberate films, this is a must see. If you prefer fast-paced or blockbuster films, don't waste your time--you will not appreciate it and judge it harshly.