Andy Hilal (ahilal)

I liked it, but I had low expectations. I think seeing half a dozen incredibly drippy romance movie trailers right before this movie started helped somehow. I would like to give it 3.5 stars, but Kristen Stewart really is a conspicuously bad actor. Whenever the film built up any mood or suspension of disbelief, she'd instantly snuff it out. She's so laughably bad that you just can't help but imagine the sound stage where the filming takes place. Even the guy holding the boom is saying "Sheezus, this girl couldn't act her way out of a paper bag."

Pretty good but way too long, and Al Pacino hammed it up too much. I think The Wire ruined this film. I might have thought a lot more of Heat if I hadn't ever watched The Wire. Still, pretty good. But man, it takes forever to reach its predictable end.

What an indelible character is Max Fischer. He's like a midlife crisis before he's even lost his virginity: all early promise that turns to nothing when the rubber meets the road. This film is wonderfully balanced and masterfully made. It's hilarious, inspiring, tragic by turns. It makes me laugh and cry and cheer and shake my head, sometimes all at once. The soundtrack is also amazing.

A beautiful film with a beautiful cast and a beautiful score. Humorous, sensual, sinister, passionate, tragic... It's also that rare case where the film is better than the book.