theognis-80821

John Patrick Shanley adapted his 2005 play to the screen for this 2008 film, set in the Bronx in 1964, which he also directed. His script was nominated for an Academy Award, as were four cast members. It centers around a battle between the church pastor (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and the intimidating principal of the parish school (Meryl Streep), who, upon receiving a report from an innocent young nun (Amy Adams), suspects that Hoffman has an improper relationship with a male student. Her ruthless determination to remove him from his duties sparks a fascinating battle. It is a unique, intense drama, fueled by superb performances.

W. R. Burnett was, for many years, America's preeminent crime novelist/screenwriter. His best work included the 1949 novel, adapted as "The Asphalt Jungle" (1950) and the 1941 novel "High Sierra," filmed three times and, finally, with his own screenplay as "I Died A Thousand Times" (1955). But not all of his work was perfect and this post-war movie, with its inarguable, declarative title, is closer to pulp than his best efforts. John Garfield is a two-fisted veteran, known nationally as a brilliant conman. When he undertakes to cheat a beautiful, wealthy widow (Geraldine Fitzgerald), no one anticipates that the pitch will be queered when they fall in love. Suspense is generated when she comes into jeopardy. Can Garfield rescue her before it's too late? Will love conquer all? Not all Burnett stories have Hollywood endings....

It's not the actor's fault that this was a box office bomb. They were perfectly cast as familiar types that they've played before and will play again: Robert DeNiro as a man, with a temper, under extreme stress, Ed Norton as a glib, psychopathic, fearless conman, Milla Jovovich as a brazen temptress, and dazed Frances Conroy, who is "out of it." The performances are up to their high standards. But the movie is afflicted with characters that are unlikeable and whose actions are too often out of character. In the real world, witnesses to crime must, at some point, submit to interrogation. But this film depicts people, who routinely lie to each other as it lies to the audience, until it gets tired of lying and just stops.