Beautifully intelligent story

Rating: 9/10 (21 July 2002)

This very sophisticated and beautifully storytelling, the way a great movie is supposed to be.
When I saw the trailers and clips from this movie when it was first released, I thought to myself; "Yeah right, another self-conscious Oscar-nominated prison dirge with it's heart fastened firmly to it's sleeve". I expected it to be another "worthy" movie like CHATTAHOOCHEE or the usual 80s telemovie types. It wasn't until I sat down and watched the tv release that i really got involved with the story.
I particularly like the way the story has heart and feelings, but is not sappy or pretentious. There is humour, pathos, tragedy, and irony in equal measure. So if you're like me and usually don't like ponderous prison dramas, I reckon you should see this movie anyway, and you should find that it's surprizingly refreshing storytelling.