User reviews

This is an emotionally riveting story of what's morally responsible in human relations. It hits a perfect high C in revealing the complexities of sincerely trying to help others in big trouble while also trying parochially to help yourself avoid a similarly disabling fate. It's not a pretty picture, but it's given absorbing and entertaining weight by the superb cast and its penetrating acting, the crafty direction, and the piercing dialogue. There are no vacant moments. The contradictions become ever more obvious as the plot thickens. The ironies pile up. The behaviors turn menacing. Fear takes over. Reality sets in. We witness the fragility of the human condition in its myriad manifestations, both for the sadly put-upon and the gladly privileged alike. Any moment, our world could collapse. Any moment, we could be exposed to an ultimate humiliation -- the death of our friendships, family, freedom, dignity, loves, our very lives -- because of the commonplace decisions we often make that turn out to be morally and ethically damaging for all concerned. This movie resides in a loose framework of law and order, but its meaning, purpose, and palpable presentation emanate from the powerfully passionate portrayal of the veteran writer/director and actors who turn what could easily have been concocted as a preachy sob story into a taut and menacing portrait of the human condition and our role, individually and collectively, in making it better or worse. Obviously, I like this film, including the fact it resonated with me because I've had my brief moments in "the system" and know firsthand the hurt and pain it produces, both when it must and also when it mustn't. But, again, this story is about the human condition that gets magnified several decibels because of the punishing context. Once you see it, you can't avoid the question its title asks. Spread the word.

This film is very thoughtful in every sense of the word. The writing and act structure is magnificent and creative in an attentive way. Despite only having seven scenes, the writing never drags or stutters. The film has only three characters, but the twists and turns create a captivating experience that does not allow for boredom or world-weariness. The characters themselves are very well fleshed out and react to situations well. The justifications of each character create interesting dynamics that evolve into an intriguing story filled with introspective ideas. The actors play a wonderful role in emotional scenes that bring the world to life. The cinematography is both thought-provoking and expressive, as well as the set design and location. The written story was emotional, but the acting and editing brought a new visual medium to the story in a succinct, beautiful way. The themes of this film struck me to my core, and I would recommend it to anyone that doesn't just want easy answers. It evokes discussion on multiple fronts, from the story to behind-the-scenes decisions.