Sua Vida Foi um Crime

I saw this in a theater and later found out it was actually a HBO movie in the U.S. but had been amazed by how well done it was. The acting is superb - Dennis Hopper does evil men like almost no-one else, Barbara Hershey and Ed Harris are good in whatever they do. It starts out as a harrowing racial drama but soon grows larger into a tale of authority and the evils of power over those who are weaker unless society and its laws protect them. A powerful and disturbing movie. 9/10

This is what films are supposed to be about. Not dripping with profanity, computerized special effects, sped-up chase scenes. It is one of the most faithful book-to-screen renditions in existence although naturally some of the scenes from the book had to be trimmed in order to make the film conform to typical length. But no problem--the skill of the actors and director create the essential thrust of the film. This book concerns true events that happened not far from where I live, and people hereabouts still speak of those events. As for the comment that the fox/rabies/little girl portion of the plot seems disconnected, not true. The fox, the manner in which the kind townspeople respond to her being bitten, the diametrically-opposed behavior of Trout toward the same little girl, and the manner in which the lives of all humans in small towns are interwoven, make for superb writing and film-making. You will never forget either film nor book. Scenes from both will always crop up, especially the bottles--the scene with Hershey and later the contents of the safes.

I recently checked this book out of the library and could not put it down! I was please to find out that there was a movie made and lucky enough to get my hands on a copy. The movie does do the book justice. The actors are all perfect for the roles. My only one real complaint is that, while Dennis Hopper is pretty creepy and played the role of Paris Trout better than anyone else could have.....he just didn't scare me like the Paris in the book did. He just wasn't mean enough. I also thought that they left out (or changed) to many of the confrontations between Paris and his wife. Maybe that is why he didn't come off as crazy as he did in the book. All in all I give it an A++. One of the better movies I've seen lately! If you've seen it, read the book too!

"Paris Trout" translates to the screen better than any work by John Grisham. The 1949 southern small town atmosphere is flawless, but it is the tremendous character development, lacking in Grisham's films, that drives "Paris Trout". Barbara Hershey as the suffering wife, and Ed Harris as the disillusioned lawyer are terrific. Dennis Hopper was born to play the evil character Paris Trout, and he delivers an "Oscar" worthy performance. Living in a fool's paradise, Paris makes his own rules, and attempts to control everyone else. This behavior leads to murder, and eventually insanity. A true product of his environment, Paris cannot deal with losing control. The consequences of his loss are both sad and fascinating. - MERK

Paris Trout is a pretty rough movie. Sometimes it gets too hard to watch, but there is a good reason behind this choice of the director. Rascists are mentally ill people most of the times. If not ill surely misguided. Paris trout is a nearly crazy man and all he deserves is what he gets in the end. This movie is pretty good. Acting is simply excellent. Dennis Hopper makes a great job in his very disgusting role. Ed Harris is once again the big catch in the movie. He gives a great depth to his character. Writing is pretty beautiful. Makes you wonder about many things. Direction is very solid. Everything with this movie was about right. Watch it, but be prepared. It's tough watching movies like that.