I wanted to like this film so much, but I can't help feeling that I was cheated out of two hours of my life that I can never get back. The main problem lies in the fact that this is supposed to be a realistic look at tragic events in a small town and the emotional devastation two parents feel over the murder of their son. Yes, most of the acting was naturalistic and nuanced, but I didn't buy for a single moment any of the main turn of events. I blame this on a hackneyed script and over confident director (Todd Field seemed to be screaming "Oh, look at me, I can do long meditative shots of pretty drapes blowing in a breeze, oh, aren't I artistic?").
*SPOILER ALERT* I did not believe that Marisa Tomei's character would seriously date a college age boy. I also did not believe that her ex-husband would actually kill him (beat him up and harass him, yes, but shoot him...I just did not see that in the character). Finally, I did not believe that Tom Wilkinson's character would seek out revenge in the fashion that he did. The scenes that were supposed to be chilling and revelatory were for me just plain predictable and unrealistic.
As for the acclaimed acting, it was good given the "made-for-TV-movie" plot they were stuck in. I think Marisa Tomei was better, however, playing a similar character in "Unhook the Stars." Tom Wilkinson was solid, but he still didn't make me believe that he was capable of doing what he did in the end. As for Sissy Spacek, for me she was simply method acting, and was far better doing it in a supporting role like the one she had in David Lynch's "The Straight Story."
It's amazing that two god-awful films were nominated for best picture for 2001. While this film is horrible, at least it isn't in the running for worst picture of all time on my list like the stupifying "Moulin Rouge."
*SPOILER ALERT* I did not believe that Marisa Tomei's character would seriously date a college age boy. I also did not believe that her ex-husband would actually kill him (beat him up and harass him, yes, but shoot him...I just did not see that in the character). Finally, I did not believe that Tom Wilkinson's character would seek out revenge in the fashion that he did. The scenes that were supposed to be chilling and revelatory were for me just plain predictable and unrealistic.
As for the acclaimed acting, it was good given the "made-for-TV-movie" plot they were stuck in. I think Marisa Tomei was better, however, playing a similar character in "Unhook the Stars." Tom Wilkinson was solid, but he still didn't make me believe that he was capable of doing what he did in the end. As for Sissy Spacek, for me she was simply method acting, and was far better doing it in a supporting role like the one she had in David Lynch's "The Straight Story."
It's amazing that two god-awful films were nominated for best picture for 2001. While this film is horrible, at least it isn't in the running for worst picture of all time on my list like the stupifying "Moulin Rouge."