This is acting at its best. Morgan Freeman has never failed to give his all in any performance I have seen. The man is the consummate actor who uses his craft as a master painter uses a brush, creating something amazing to behold. Like his role in Kiss the Girls, Freeman seems born to play the meticulous detective. A man with an analytical mind, unswerving personal rituals and the ability to remain focused under any circumstances.
Freeman commands the screen like few actors are capable of doing.
This is also one of Brad Pitt's finest moments. As the young, brash detective he wears the role like a familiar suit of clothes. The best actors come across like they are not acting and Pitt achieves this with ease in this film. His performance provides sharp contrast to the performance of Freeman. The characters come across initially as extremely different but slowly the similarities are revealed.