maggiepie82

For starters: I was given this film as an assignment by my film school college professor. Went to see it at Edwards University 6 in Irvine, CA. One of those small indie films where I could tell part of the audience dug it, and part didn't.

Very dark and unforgiving in tone. Seldom have I seen a film with a more unlikable lead character. But, somehow I did like him. Maybe it was the devil may care grin. The filmmaker never wavers or backs away from the characters lifestyle. Not a film for everyone for sure. It is the character study about a young surgeon who parties like a mad man at night. One night stands between surgeries during the day. I left worn out like the main character. Supposedly based on a true story. Certainly felt real.

Film felt like it could have been a bit shorter. Middle drags a bit. Well shot, with a hip score (although a bit too loud). All in all, I recommend it.

First of all Martin Scorsese is my favorite director. Second this is his best film in a big way. How the Academy missed him for Oscar here is a travesty.

The film has an almost documentary feel to it early on. Love the intro of Ray Liotta's character and how he was sucked into the life of a gangster. The acting is top notch across the board (even the small roles).

The food, the violence, the dark humor - carry the front of the film. Almost intoxicating the viewer to the glee of being a gang member till it is too late. When things go bad you realize there is no escape for Henry Hill from the life he chose. He will be killed or give it all up.

From what I've read Henry Hill the man is hardly Henry Hill the character in this film, but that doesn't mean much as few know the real Henry Hill anyways. It isn't as though it was a biography of someone truly famous or important in history. It is the story of a petty criminal, turned drug addict, turned snitch that is done as well as any film ever.

Really one of the best films in recent American cinema. Definitely Sean Penn's ode to the seventies and personal films. A terrifically acted heart-wrenching tale of family during the Vietnam war. David Morse should be a bigger star. If you have only seen Vigo in large Hollywood films I urge you to catch his amazing performance here. Charles Bronson is amazing as the father. Seldom has a genre actor been used so well in a drama. Patricia Arquette and Benicio Del Toro both launched their careers here.

Additionally loved the small "townspeople" in the film. Very real, very strange.

It would be easy to root against an "in" Hollywood actor making his directorial debut - however this film is such an amazing find and I consider it a modern classic.