5th re-watch...The most controversial and talked about film of 2005, perhaps the entire decade. I am one of the few people on the planet who believes this film deserved the Best Picture Oscar it won. This movie ruffled a lot of feathers during its initial release because it shed a very unflattering light on behaviors in this country that a lot of people would like to think no longer exsist, but I think anyone who didn't find something in this film that they could relate to or find completely believable is lying to him/herself. The most impressive thing about this film is the balance Paul Haggis' story provides, primarily through the characters played by Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and Ryan Phillippe and the surprising climaxes to their stories which we don't see coming at all. I think this film is a masterwork and it hasn't lost one bit of its power in the 14 years since its release. I saw this film during its original theatrical release and as I walked out of the theater, I said to myself, "This movie is going to win the Best Picture Oscar." I also said that Matt Dillon would win Best Supporting Actor, but he did get a nomination.
Last edited by Gideon58; 07-25-19 at 11:42 AM.