A slow burn which leads to a final fury

Rating: Null/10 (28 July 2003)

Spoiler alert What I loved about his movie was that it was a mystery that didn't even really let on that it was a mystery. Because the "secret" was let out by the first round of viewers and/or critics, most knew that it was a mystery going in but, as far as we know throughout the movie, Soze is a man or a myth, etc. We don't know because the movie's depression hooks us. The idea of Soze is a black hole that slowly collapses along the way and the movie's intensity and riveted focus on characters keeps the "truth" in the distance until it pounces on us in the final sequences. Until then, it is a well shot and often boring crime drama about a group of career losers who function well enough to be successful deviants. The movie deserves it's rating because of the fascinating character development throughout and the lightening quick puzzle fitting at the end. The character's other then Keaton are not very deep (no Verbal is not very deep) but that is a plus here. They are sympathetic criminals but the script keeps them as just that, criminals. In other words, it doesn't insult the audiences intelligence, even though it does portray the criminals in a positive light throughout. The technical aspect is also quite excellent. Little things, such as the light bulb dangling on the boat, accompanied by a light, jingling musical score, are spellbinding. Such moments also lighten the movie's comatose mood. The movie's soundtrack is as dour and boring as it gets but it wears on me after awhile and helps me get into the movie's mood, aka a black hole. This is depressing stuff and the director doesn't try to find a silver lining in any of it. Stephen Baldwin is the movie's Doc Holliday, a flowery, yet one dimensional, nut case. Benicio Del Toro supplies comic relief and provides his characters "tight a**" distinction with nice subtlety to the point that you almost don't notice it. Kevin Pollack has the movie's coolest role, playing a character that just doesn't give a you know what and he gets to explode throughout. Spacey is such a naturally aloof actor that his roles come off as mysterious even when they are not supposed to be. Gabriel Byrne has a tricky dual role. We always sense him as being reformed, but Agent Kujan never describes him as anything less then pure evil. This duality, which is never really explored, helps fuel the mystery. The action is slick, moody and depressed, setting up the audience for the final revelation. About the only real words for this movie after I've seen it are, "Whoa" and "Wow." "Whoa" describes the movie's slow burn that never really flames out and "Wow" is the admiration for the great ending which ties it all together and lets the audience off of the hook. Probably the most subtle great movie I have ever seen. If you are looking for grandeur, don't watch this movie.