Okay, I
confess...I can't stand this film. In fact, it
is one of the VERY few Tom Cruise films that I
just find intolerable. I wish I could spout off
a bunch of technical reasons why I can't stand
this film, but I admittedly can't do so. It is
almost purely personal. Cruise, while evoking a
powerful presence for this character just never
becomes believable for me. He is so unbelievable
that I never for a moment forgot it was Tom
Cruise. The same is true, though on a lesser
level with Brad Pitt.
I found
Kirsten Dunst, who I adore usually, to be
incredibly miscast in this role. She failed to
capture the complexities of her character and
ended up playing primarily one note throughout
the film. Director Neil Jordan has assembled a
crew that does many things right in creating the
atmosphere of the film, however, often the
dialogue feels trivial and out of place. The
supporting cast includes Stephen Rea, Christian
Slater, Antonio Banderas and Thandie Newton. One
thing I've always admired about Tom Cruise is
his willingness to jump into different sorts of
roles...this is, however, one role I wish he'd
passed by.
©
Written by Richard Propes
TC Candler's Comment
For some
reason, vast sections of this film escape my
memory. I really ought to see it again.
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
