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viento wrote on 11/28/2004:

I was surprised to see such a big name playing the role of Big John, but he did a standup job. The kid actors were very believable and had great performances. The principal actor was able to really pull you into his story. You could appreciate the battle going on within him. Many gripping moments. Definitely a good purchase.

grbb wrote on 09/27/2003:

I thought this movie would of generated Oscar buzz if not for it's subject matter. Visually stunning, with an awesome soundtrack, the film literally lept off the screen and into my heart. Daring to go where few American films have tread, it expresses teen angst and coming of age sexuality to a hilt. Brian Cox deserved an Oscar for his protrayal of a pedophile unable to resist his impulses, yet aware of the shame and guilt his lust infolds. The young actors are amazing in thier dificult parts and very reallistic. One of my favorite films and destined to be a cult classic. I highly recommend this film.

silvertron wrote on 05/24/2003:

I saw this in the theatre when it first opened, looking forward to it based on what I'd heard about it. But I pretty much hated the movie. There wasn't one believable moment in the film for me. The poetry spouting lonely kid. The fatherly child molester. It's not that was I offended or shocked by the movie, I was bored by it.

glstouffer (glstouffer@yahoo.com) wrote on 04/10/2003:

I just finished watching this film. It was visually appealing but it did not flow. There were many questions not answered. For Example the relationship or lack thereof between Howie and Gary. As the viewer you are supposed to assume that Howie knows that Gary is a street hustler. When he is confronted with this fact by a beautiful looking blond that is also in the gang a fight ensues. Howie either does not realize he is gay or refuses to come out. He does take stealing glances at Gary. There were to many questions and not enough answers. For example the blond that asks him if he has been swapping the salami with Gary half acts like he has a crush on Howie. He first helps him when they are in school. Then again when one of the gang starts to fight him.
Brian Cox who plays Big John does an excellent job portraying a pedophile with a heart. All in all if they would get the questions answered this film would not leave you lacking.

Steven The B (steventheb@cox.net) wrote on 12/13/2002:

Here is a DVD that I bought - and thought I would love - based upon it's glowing reviews. Instead, I am reminded why it is often better to rent before you commit yourself to buy.

I wasn't sure at first who, or what, was to blame for this film going bad. Okay, "bad" isn't the word. How about "nowhere?"

Did the best part of this film end up on the cutting room floor? Based on one of the deleted scenes that's included at the end of the DVD, I am inclined to say, "Perhaps, at least to some degree."

It wasn't the subject matter, for it begged to be explored, but more on that in a moment.

And it wasn't the casting because, for the most part, it was actually quite good. Especially in the case of the inexperienced actors who you'd have thought might have skuttled the film. Instead, they were the more remarkable standouts in the film! And if I had to fault a particular casting choice it would have to be Brain Cox who, while clearly the best and most experienced actor of the group, was simply too old to believably flesh out all the possibilities that this potentially rich role could have provided.

But he shouldn't be blamed.

The director, however, should be. And there, I believe, is the real culprit for this film's shortcomings. The reach of this first time director clearly exceeded his grasp, for the best parts of this story simply never got told.

I don't know if Michael Cuesta, the director, was too uncomfortable with the subject matter to ask the right questions, or was so unfamiliar with the subject matter that he didn't know what questions to ask. Whatever it was, it was his sheer ineptitude that expected us to accept our lead character suddenly quoting Walt Whitman (and quite magnificently, I might add), when mere moments before...hell, for the first 40 minutes of the film...he was virtually unable to articulate a cohesive sentence. (And quite magnificently, I might add).

Worse, I was left scratching my head wondering why this 15 year old kid, who supposedly had loads on the ball, would go from wanting to avoid this 60 year old pedophile one minute, and be kissing his arm crying, "Please don't leave me!" the next.

Did somebody steal the middle reel of a 3 reel film, or was I abducted, probed, and returned by them pesky aliens and just don't know it?

This is one of those great stories that simply never got told, and I have no doubt that, in spite of a lot of very good work by a lot of very good actors, you will be left wanting. Especially your money back.

Oh well, at least the pop corn was good. But then again, I popped it.

- Steven The B