Half an hour into the movie and I am as bored as Jude Law looks in this film. Then it just gets worse. I could not watch it to the end and that is rare for me. Very, very poor editing. Uninteresting characters. What a waste.

"This is the stuff of soap operas, not serious cinema and certainly not great literature." - Jeremiah Kipp

Most of the reviews I have seen for this film say what I would like to say much better; to wit-- acting: overwrought and at times pure cheese; writing: sophomoric verging on incoherent; pace and plotting: plodding, tedious, and overly deliberate.

The intertwining stories of Louisiana politics are brilliantly brought to screen a second time in this film. The cast all play their roles amazingly well, in particular Jude Law and Sean Penn. The film pulls us emotionally sometimes sympathizing with Penn in his naive idealism and other times despising him for his corrupt practices. A depressing story that is brilliantly told. The score and cinematography make it a film worth-watching.

Slow and somber drama remains compelling thanks to excellent performances from a mighty A-list cast (especially Penn, Hopkins and Law), though under developed subplots and the sheer amount of incident in the film means that many of the performers are basically wasted. As it is, too much feels crammed into the running time for it to make a lasting impact.

A period piece with breathtaking scenery and sets; the acting is solid, and the history, even Hollywood's version of it, is worth your time. My sweetheart and I really enjoyed this movie; but be warned, it is for thinkers, not those looking for popcorn fare.

A gripping adaptation of a novel, with hints at real past events...

It would probably be more interesting if there were more unicorns and spartans... like in my dream... that I was having while watching this snooze fest. Go to blockbuster and get the original, or, better yet read the book.

Sean Penn saves that movie from failing

I liked it, but... too many pointless scenes, too many subplots, and too much pointless dialogue. Everybody here plays their typecast lazily, except for Penn, who does very well. The film fails because the three things that the film was built upon (Law/Hopkins relationship, Law/Winslet relationship, Penn's character's development) were horribly done. What really killed the film was that it depended heavily upon Law's acting, and he really sucked. Oh, and Ruffalo blew, too.

Somewhat conveluded; somber and cynical. But great to watch this cast at work; In particular, Jude Law, giving an understated and off-beat performance. Mr. Hopkins is as stellar as always; Who doesn't love Patricia Clarkson or Kate Winslet. Sean Penn is doing another of his studied characterizations that doesn't always work for me; Mainly his odd soft-handed, herky-jerky gestures when he is "speechifying".

A great idea. So very boring. Too much going on.

The film feels like a forced attempt to make an amazing film. That is just a group of producers trying too hard to make “The Film of the Year.”

A decent movie, there was really no punch in the movie. Acting was good but wasnt impressed by it.

Before I'd seen this movie, I said I'd never buy another Sean Penn movie; but when I saw this I changed my mind, this movie is the ultimate Sean Penn role. He seemed to be born for the role. If you are some how a Sean Penn fan this is "The Must See."

penn acts more retarded in this than i am sam