Curtis Simpson (CurtisoftheDead)

Why have I not seen this movie until now? This film is one of the strongest performances I've ever seen in a movie. Harvey Keitel drives this film, which may be the only complaint one can deliver about it. While the script is by no means a masterpiece, it is a solid character study. If it weren't for Keitels delivery it would probably never have been more than that. The cinematography is average, some decent shots but nothing spectacular. Everything seemed to fit together perfectly though. The screenplay is gritty by nature, examining the darkest depths of a human being with every vice imaginable. The shooting is gritty and clearly rushed, Keitels performance is as gritty and uncomfortable and emotional as it could have been. It all meshes so perfectly.

Something of note is the intense Catholic allegory throughout the film. Essentially having the rape of a nun drive the plot is a heavy plot device, especially the gravity of it. Seemingly Keitel is the epitomy of a soulless man, doing despicable acts without remorse just as naturally as breathing. The attempt at atonement at the end of the film followed by a seemingly self induced surrendered martyrdom all feeds into the allegory without pushing it too heavily. The argument I hear a lot about this movie regarding it being sacralgious or anti-christian is clearly coming from people who didn't understand the film at all.

Anyway, lets break it down:

Who should see this?

1) Harvey Keitel Fans
2) Sinners
3) Heathens
4) Degenerates
5) Anyone who wants to see a breath-taking character performance
6) Fans of the grittiest of gritty.
7) Tarantino Fans
8) Catholics

I hate adam sandler but I have to see it because I'll always give apatow a chance. Odds are that Sandler will bring this movie down to a retarded crawl but I'll give it a shot.

Probably my new favorite movie. Hilarious, deep, existential, gorgeous touching. Phenomenal.

Very likely my favorite film, although it's hard for me to have a favorite. Great philosophy and existentialism at a not-too-heavy level. Mixed well with a well balanced dose of quirky comedy. Stellar performances from Schwartzman and Hoffman and, dare I say, Wahlberg. I never liked Marky Mark before this film. He has potential. I could blab about this movie for an eternity or I could just tell you to go see it.