ViewGuide

Created Mar 29, 2008 10:12AM PST • Edited Mar 29, 2008 10:12AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Really Great 4.5

   Great film with redeeming messages that was at the right place at the right time as far as exposure/awareness of the Russian mafia in Europe. The ending is perfect! So glad filmmakers took that risky path. So rewarding for the audience and incredibly memorable.

4. Acting

   Perfect 5.0

   Watts, Mortensen, Mueller-Stahl and Cassel all put in great performances. Mortensen’s stands out mainly because of his character’s position, but he definitely deserved that Oscar nomination due to high demands on the mental, physical and emotional sides.

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

6. Female Stars Perfect 5.0

7. Female Costars Perfect 5.0

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    Cronenberg. Need we say more. One of the most respected and least rewarded filmmakers of our time. Great shots and cinematography that’s brutally realistic. Excellent screenplay from Steven Knight that was nominated. When will Cronenberg get his nomination?

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

12. Play Really Great 4.5

13. Music Really Great 4.5

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 3.5

    Mortensen’s extended fight scene alone probably got him the Oscar nomination. Constant threats and consequential violence, verbally and physically, that’s often brutal and realistic.

17. Sex Erotic 3.5

18. Violence Brutal 3.5

19. Rudeness Profane 3.5

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

    Very realistic. The excellent portrayals make the realism even better.

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0