rje58

This movie is not a '10', and not a '1', either. Why are the vast majority of the votes either 1's or 10's, then? Because people are voting their worldview, instead of voting on a movie.

It is hard to categorize this film - if I had to categorize it, I would call it a Christian docudrama, or Christian Christmas movie. In my opinion, an hour long television program would have been a better format for this effort, than an hour and twenty minute theatrical release.

It is a low-budget digital independent film, and the production values reflect that. It sets out to present a conservative Christian point of view, and does that openly and unapologetically. There was nothing that I found intolerant or mean spirited, and it seemed rather to espouse traditional Christian values of Christmas, such as "Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward All" - although that line does not occur in the film.

The bottom line is: if you are a conservative Christian, then you will probably enjoy this movie or at least find it interesting. The further your worldview departs from that, the less enjoyable you will likely find it.

If you can relate to the underlying theme of love longed for, love given and received, and love lost, this is a great film. If you have come to understand that acceptance can -sometimes- be a great thing and not a compromise or a 'settle for' - this is a moving film.

As crazy and almost surreal as elements of this film are, it somehow remains honest and real. That seems like a contradiction... life is contradictory, isn't it?

Carrey and Winslet both turn in superb performances, as do the supporting cast. An incredible film that most of the people who 'get it' will love - but I suspect there will be more than a small percentage who won't understand it or can't relate to it and they will (understandably) dislike it.

The Italian Job is a complete film with few weak links. The acting is superb - and by extension the casting. Well directed, great camera work, good special effects - but the writing is what I believe set it apart and took it to the next level.

The inevitable comparisons to Soderberg's "Oceans 11" are unfair to Italian Job in my opinion. I felt this film was much better written, the acting was better and overall execution a cut above what Oceans 11 accomplished. When watching the latter, I felt like it was more escapist entertainment, whereas Italian Job did a much better job of drawing me in to the story -and- entertaining me.

The criticisms that Wahlberg didn't have enough 'charisma' to pull off the leading male role in this film are unfounded. If they came from the same people who gushed over Clooney in Oceans 11, then they obviously value Clooney's 'pretty boy charm' over Wahlberg's more substantive acting talent.

If you haven't seen this one, you should. It has a much broader appeal over more audience segments than most films of its type.