11-09-2007, 06:59 AM
Thumbs up. I'm not a Russell Crowe fan -- I liked A Beautiful Mind, but didn't much enjoy his other performances. But he was very good as a not-so-nice Jewish cop-then-lawyer, and Denzel was absolutely brilliant. Supporting cast was strong, script was very good. Long movie, but I couldn't think of where I'd have suggested edits. You could almost put aside the crime and violence and just see it as an uplifting tale of two guys who lift themselves up from their problems and despite their little flaws, manage to better themselves using courage, stamina and smarts.
I really enjoyed the scene where Denzel is having a nice little get together with his cousins and explaining how he's going to let them all in on a terrific business opportunity; excuses himself for moment to walk over to the fruit stand next door and shoot a rival in the head and then nonchalantly walks back and continues where he left off. Or explains why all of the women processing/packaging his heroin work in the nude "that way they can't steal anything."
Anyway, time well spent.
I really enjoyed the scene where Denzel is having a nice little get together with his cousins and explaining how he's going to let them all in on a terrific business opportunity; excuses himself for moment to walk over to the fruit stand next door and shoot a rival in the head and then nonchalantly walks back and continues where he left off. Or explains why all of the women processing/packaging his heroin work in the nude "that way they can't steal anything."
Anyway, time well spent.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.