So Black bores on alone. Bait, fisherman. . There is probably a way to handle these images and metaphors in a way that is not grotesquely manipulative, but I don't think Penn finds it. Maybe it's the decency in Nicholson's very good performance, so at odds with the actions he takes, or fails to take. There is another factor that makes it difficult to suspend disbelief, and it is Penn's persistent use of celebrity cameos.
Previews make it clear that the movie is gruesome, heavy going.
If I'm on the Motion Picture Association of American ratings board, this baby is NC-17. If you experience any problems with the Daily News Web site, please let us know. Include the date and time of the problem and a brief description.