A movie like this is bound to annoy the posers, and this one has. In a word, it's not an easy film. You're not going to get any comfortable tropes. The good guys are normal. The bad guys are normal. Everybody's complex, conflicted, hypocritical, and often right.
I especially appreciated Pearl, the reformatory teacher played by Don Cheadle. He's all of those things, and Cheadle does a great job portraying a guy who's sometimes right and sometimes wrong but when it comes down to brass tacks, has a conscience. Sometimes in spite of himself.
Just like me.
I think it's probably harder to play (or write) a real person than a cartoon character, which may be why there aren't many of those in movies.
I also suspect this is why many critics, including Roger Ebert, for whom I have great respect, decried the "moral muddle" they saw in this movie. You can't really root for anybody. Nor do you hate anybody. (Except maybe the drug dealer.)
Anyway, if you like challenging films, see it. A young, pre-heart throb Ryan Gosling does an excellent job in the lead, and so does Jena Malone as his girlfriend.
I've filed it under "Movies I'm Glad I Watched."
I especially appreciated Pearl, the reformatory teacher played by Don Cheadle. He's all of those things, and Cheadle does a great job portraying a guy who's sometimes right and sometimes wrong but when it comes down to brass tacks, has a conscience. Sometimes in spite of himself.
Just like me.
I think it's probably harder to play (or write) a real person than a cartoon character, which may be why there aren't many of those in movies.
I also suspect this is why many critics, including Roger Ebert, for whom I have great respect, decried the "moral muddle" they saw in this movie. You can't really root for anybody. Nor do you hate anybody. (Except maybe the drug dealer.)
Anyway, if you like challenging films, see it. A young, pre-heart throb Ryan Gosling does an excellent job in the lead, and so does Jena Malone as his girlfriend.
I've filed it under "Movies I'm Glad I Watched."