Cast: Sean Penn, Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins, Mark Ruffulo, Kate Winslet, Patricia Clarkson, James Gandolfini

Written by: Steve Zaillian, Based On The Book By Robert Penn Warren

Directed by :Steve Zaillian

Music By James Horner

I don't know what is up the poopers of all the movie critics nowadays, it's like if it isn't a masterpiece of cinema then it's pure garbage. So many great films this year got horribly trashed by critics including this one. While the film has its flaws, it's in no way as bad as most people say it is. The film is based off of Robert Penn Warren's novel, which makes this the second film (4th overall adaptation including TV movies). The original theatrical adaptation snagged up Best Picture at the Academy Awards back in 1949, so you can expect some opposition in remaking a film that is already considered to be a classic. Steve Zaillian wrote and directed this version of the novel, and to his credit he did an amazing job. The film is incredibly focused and structured very well. He's only directed 3 movies including this one, but he has written some well known and critically acclaimed films including Schindler's List, Gangs Of New York, Hannibal, and The Interpreter.

The dialogue in this film is incredibly natural and full of meaning, it flows very well. The characters are all perfect established, but where the film falls short is probably within its subplots as well as overall impact. Willie Starks' speeches are delivered with superb intensity by Sean Penn in some of the finest acting he's ever done. The central storyline of Starks and his rise to power is muddled a bit by many subplots with Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffulo, and Anthony Hopkins. It's hard to start all these storylines and then try and conclude them all in a satisfying manner at the end, and in that area is where the film fails to connect. James Horner's score also seems to be misplaced in certain scenes and it creates an awkward tone. However, to call this film bad is a crime. There is so much beautiful symbolic imagery and great cinematography in the film that it enhances its depth. I did feel like I was getting preached at, as if the filmmakers were trying to make a strong statement about modern day politics, and that draws you out of the whole experience a bit. Overall though this was a decent movie with an amazing cast and some incredible acting. Don't let the bad reviews prevent you from seeing it.

* * * The cast of this movie is a dream team. To have a cast of this magnitude is astonishing, and they all just sink their teeth into material. Penn delivers such a strong presence as Willie Stark that you will get chills just from watching him make his speeches. Jude Law gives his character great depth and dimension to help connect his past with the present, but unfortunately the two storylines fail to connect. Anthony Hopkins, Patricia Clarkson, Mark Ruffulo, and Kate Winslet were all great as well. The only person I had a problem with was James Gandolfini. The man just cannot pull off a southern accent, and it threw his scenes off so badly. Otherwise it was a great experience to watch all these great actors interact and play off the intensity of one another.

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