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The critics' response to Rain Man tended to focus on Dustin Hoffman's gifted portrayal of the autistic brother, leaving Tom Cruise's performance a bit unnoticed and under-appreciated. Yet it is Cruise's character whose emotional growth we witness. His acting shows deep understanding of his own and Hoffman's characters.

The intimacy the brothers achieve - insofar an autistic is capable of emotions and intimacy - is what makes Cruise's character human, and that is what marks a happy ending. The beautiful music score illuminates the brothers' journey with a leitmotif so distinct it feels like its own character.

This film keeps one feeling slightly off-balance while remaining entirely believable and genuine. This mirrors perfectly the focus on the intense love between Robin Wright Penn's and Sean Penn's characters that struggles to survive the man's severe mental illness. Despite his deep commitment to his wife, he cannot protect her from violence, poverty, and social embarrassment.

I have seldom seen acting as heartbreaking, surprising, and gifted as Robin Wright Penn's here, and her husband's performance is very moving as the childlike adult who is unable to succeed in the modern urban world.

John Travolta plays a wealthy, square suburban dad who falls for and tries to "save" Wright Penn after her husband is compelled to leave her. He manages to break through the stereotype and is sympathetic and real. The audience can't help but be painfully split in its loyalties to the two men in love.

"She's So Lovely" is disturbing and uplifting, gritty and beautiful - a truly unique movie that grabs you on the inside and leaves you feeling changed, though you may not know how. Don't miss it.

This documentary illustrates the silent yet inescapable psychosocial aspect that presents as significant a barrier as any logistical impediment to reentry. Even those well informed on the topics of recidivism and community corrections will be moved by the profound inner struggles, beliefs, and buried emotions captured here.

Omar's inner enemy is introduced as a 35-year addiction to drugs. Despite unflagging faith that all he needs is treatment, the state-sponsored rehab programs last between a few days to a few weeks only, not nearly long enough to establish a healthy lifestyle. Relapses mean technical violations of parole and the threat of returning to prison.

What makes this film so compelling is that the audience recognizes what Omar doesn't and yet experiences what Omar does.

Omar believes he could reach all his goals were it not for his addiction. Once clean, he is convinced, he will live in a land of empowerment - lead a satisfying life and provide a model for young people straying from the good path.

Pete - with whom Omar shares a prison history - resurfaces in Omar's life as the caretaker of a transition house. Despite best intentions, the decades of incarcerated friendship subtly affect their new relationship. In Omar's desired escape from a destructive past, he faces unexpected and barely perceptible hurdles.