This story of the goings-on in a small Maine town does not deliver at the level one would expect given the cast, the high production values, and the Pulitzer Prize source. Though long at almost four hours, it could have benefited from being either shorter or longer. If shorter, then it could have concentrated on the Columbine-style shooting, or on Miles Roby's struggles, but not both. As it is I felt there was too much voice-over and dialog aimed at getting us up to speed with the characters and intricate plotting while the shooting and its after-effects were not dealt with in enough detail.
Too often I was aware of the movie's being scripted instead of feeling I was getting to know real people. Ed Harris turned in a good performance as Miles Roby and I did have the feeling that he was a real character struggling with some deep personal problems. But Paul Newman as Miles' father Max seemed a bit buffoonish as did Dennis Farina as "The Silver Fox." Did anyone believe that Max could abscond with church monies to fund a trip to Florida accompanied by a senile priest no less? The scene with Max in the Florida bar surrounded by adoring women was quite unbelievable - he would have been just another old man among many. Not to dwell too much on this, but the scene that really bothered me was with Miles doing battle with his broken glove box. I can understand that scene was put in there to show how generally frustrated Miles was that such a small thing could be so irritating, but when he was finally able to latch the thing and leave the car I said to myself, "Please don't have that door come open." But the screenwriter could not resist going for the cheap laugh.
There was too much dialog, voice-over, and text frames wanting to deliver messages on love, life, and acceptance. The metaphor of life as a river has been a bit overworked by now I think. And using the final sentence from "The Great Gatsby" more than once seemed like an attempt at borrowed glory.
The one standout for me was Lou Taylor Pucci as John Voss (the poor tormented outcast). He played the part as if he were a wounded animal, which I guess he was.
Altogether too much going on for me.
Too often I was aware of the movie's being scripted instead of feeling I was getting to know real people. Ed Harris turned in a good performance as Miles Roby and I did have the feeling that he was a real character struggling with some deep personal problems. But Paul Newman as Miles' father Max seemed a bit buffoonish as did Dennis Farina as "The Silver Fox." Did anyone believe that Max could abscond with church monies to fund a trip to Florida accompanied by a senile priest no less? The scene with Max in the Florida bar surrounded by adoring women was quite unbelievable - he would have been just another old man among many. Not to dwell too much on this, but the scene that really bothered me was with Miles doing battle with his broken glove box. I can understand that scene was put in there to show how generally frustrated Miles was that such a small thing could be so irritating, but when he was finally able to latch the thing and leave the car I said to myself, "Please don't have that door come open." But the screenwriter could not resist going for the cheap laugh.
There was too much dialog, voice-over, and text frames wanting to deliver messages on love, life, and acceptance. The metaphor of life as a river has been a bit overworked by now I think. And using the final sentence from "The Great Gatsby" more than once seemed like an attempt at borrowed glory.
The one standout for me was Lou Taylor Pucci as John Voss (the poor tormented outcast). He played the part as if he were a wounded animal, which I guess he was.
Altogether too much going on for me.