Everyone has an opinion on justice and each one of them believes they are the moral equivalent of the lord and savior when it comes to dishing out punishment regarding various crimes. While most people won't discuss tariffs and how the WTO should regulate them all seem of have an idea of the best way to deal with Osama Bin Laden if the administration seemed to give a damn about capturing him. Vigilance is a virtue amongst most and revenge films touch our just hearts.'Sleepers' is the story of four childhood friends growing up in the colorful, dangerous, yet somewhat noble Hell's Kitchen. Growing up with the violence that perpetuates their neighborhood the boys find solace in simple things as most children will do. As the ugliness of their home lives get too unbearable the boys turn to the moral center of the film, their priest for guidance and even protection.
The young lads aren't angels as one would expect and a simple petty crime act goes sideways when they lose control of a stolen hot dog cart which in turn crushes a man. The boys are then sentenced to spend a year in a juvenile detention center where they experience sexual abuse at the hands of their sadistic guards.
The film then fast forwards to the boys adult years where we find two of the boys decided to become hardened killers. Both find one of their abusers in a diner and deal with him about how you would expect. Luckily one of the other friends happens to be a lawyer with the DA's office and decides to prosecute the case while the last friend becomes a super sleuth of sorts extracting revenge on all involved in their harrowing ordeal.
While 'Sleepers' is more than a simple 'take the law into your own hands' film, it's not high art by any means. Some of the scenes are simple and lazy yet there are others that are strikingly powerful. The film is incredibly long for having so little to say, but the acting alone is worth sitting through this. While again it's not great, but it's better than most mediocre courtroom dramas.
"Engrosses if it doesn't fully convince." - USA Today
7 comments:
I can't look at Kevin Bacon the same way after seeing thie movie.
Hmm this review is sucky!! There I said it as i've usually agreed with you but I love love love this movie and your review does not give it justice.
I found a number of years ago that I just didn't want to watch films showing people being raped. Not women, not men, not boys, not girls, no-one. I didn't want to watch films in which I got to listen to people be raped either. Too empathetic-that's my cross. Obviously, that has a considerable impact on my viewing options. If someone previews the flick and then gives me reasonable warning during the flick, I'll get up and leave, fast-forward, whatever.
Miss Ash, nice.
Ouch...
Look at you causing controversy all of the place ;)
WIGSF - Yes he did a great job in the film.
Miss Ash - Just because you love it doesn't mean it's good, still I did like the film. Maybe it belongs in the overrated list since everyone seems so warm to this movie.
Anon - Rape is hardly good entertainment.
Rowie - Erik's Ramblings, your place for controversy.
Anon's comment reminded me of the time I was watching American History X in a Catholic high school class. The teacher stopped the tape midway through the film and fast-forwarded for a minute or so, then pressed play again. I had to go rent the movie to find out what I missed.
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