WTF, Spielberg?
Very torn about this film. I think the power of the story is undeniable, but Steven Spielberg's direction is maudlin and oversentamentalized, which takes away the power of the statement. The best moment of this film is Anthony Hopkins' 10 minute monologue, which is truly inspired, the worst is Anna Paquin's terrible Spanish accent. I found John Williams' score distracting at times, particularly the French Horns (don't get me wrong, I love French Horns) that would be playing underneath some important exposition. Cinque's backflash of his journey to America is horrifying, much like Schindler's List, but those moments are few and far between. And could Morgan Freeman be more underutilized? Sheesh! A big, fat Hollywood movie that should have been lean and mean.