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Chaplin

Better off silent
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Another acting extravaganza.

The film itself, though, had some problems. The first 20 minutes were a mishmash of different shots from different time periods with different people. And while it's a good technique (kind of like Memento), it's shoved down your throat and it takes you a half hour to figure out what the heck is going on.

The ending also is somewhat unresolved for two of the three main characters, but that's nitpicking. The main fault of the movie is definitely the way it is edited, especially that first 20 minutes.

But the acting was great. Naomi Watts is just spectacular in the movie (and she gets naked for all the teenagers). :) Benicio of course, is solid, and pretty believable as an ex-con who went straight because of his belief in Jesus. It takes just one mistake to alter lives dramatically.

Recommended.
 

Renz

An Army of One
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Originally posted by Chaplin
But the acting was great. Naomi Watts is just spectacular in the movie (and she gets naked for all the teenagers). :)

Recommended.
:thumbup:
 

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schutd

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I'd have to say that this is one of the best, most powerful films I've seen in a LONG time.

Agreed, that the timeline tweaks were confusing over the first 30 minutes, but I let myself just get the information, and trust that the timeline would work itself out as the film went on; and it did.

Del Toro, Watts and Penn were all spec-freaking-tacular. The screenplay was very powerful, and while the film couldnt have been any more depressing, I would disagree with Chaplins assessment that two of the characters stories were left unresolved. I loved this film and would recommend it HIGHLY to anyone.
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SPOILERS!!!!!!!
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I felt that the ending of this film, while depressing in the regard that Penn dies, was incredibly uplifting. Penn spent his post op/new heart life miserably guilty over the life that was lost to give him a new chance. When he realized that that sacrifice was going to be for naught, and he was going to die anyway, he was able to turn that hopelessness into one of hope and rebirth for Del Toiro and Watts' characters. he gave Watts reason to clean up and live in her pregnancy, and he gave faith back to Del Toros character by not putting a bullet in his head. Brilliant, and incredibly moving. I LOVED this film!!!!
 
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