As Good as its Reviews, and Better than I Expected

Rating: 9/10 (23 September 2006)

Paul Giamatti and Rufus Sewell own this film. They are engaged throughout, -- efficient, thorough, and subtle. One sees the film through Giamatti's eyes, and one dies a death from Sewell's lack of vision (characters, of course!). A close-up of Giamatti's face is as if seeing a topographical map of the world -- with its ever-changing landscape. He is turbulent. Sewell is stoic (as required). The fall of Leopold's facade is his destiny. Sewell succeeds.
Jessica Biel is luminous as Sophie. As an aristocrat, what is asked of her as actress is a wan, noncommited countenance. She provides it well, and not simply because she has nothing to offer other than her beauty -- one senses this actress really knows what she is doing.
Edward Norton, an American actor of ability, does not (so much) disappoint -- rather, he is sorely miscast. He simply does not "look" European. No one can change it -- he is American as "apple pie." Sobeit! Still, -- his performance is extraordinary.
Kudos to all involved!