I loved *Killer of Sheep*, so I was really disappointed when I saw this. I can barely remember the film now, except I know I didn't think it was very good.

Different from Killer of Sheep, more coherent, perhaps more communicative but still a bit fragmentary. Not everything is shown, some things are left out. A modest film with a strong sense of authenticity, despite some of the acting being just bad.

I watched the director's cut, which is 35 minutes SHORTER than the original version. Refreshing to see a director who understands that sometimes less is more. What Burnett couldn't cut, however, were all the lousy performances. Everett Silas is fine in the lead, but almost everyone else is stiff and terrible. I also thought some of the writing was a bit sloppy. But the situations are set up well, and watching Pierce continually make such bad choices is both frustrating and endearing.

Great early film from Burnett. Quiet and unassuming, but profound in its observation of life in Los Angeles. Humanistic filmmaking at its best.