Sleepers

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Patric, Brad Pitt, Billy Crudup, Minnie Driver, Bruno Kirby, Brad Renfro, Jonathan Tucker, Jeffrey Donovan
Directed by: Barry Levinson
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Thriller
1996
Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Four friends in Hell's Kitchen have their lives changed when an accident results in the death of an innocent man. They are sent to a boys' reform school, where they are sexually and physically abused by an evil guard (Kevin Bacon). Years later, two of the boys murder the guard who abused them, and the other two (Brad Pitt, Jason Patric) try desperately to save them.

Review:

Tim: Sleepers is a powerful drama that is prevented from achieving greatness because it is a little too neaty and tidy. Everything unfolds beautifully, with rarely a hiccup or hitch. This film is based on a "true" story that was pretty much proven to be untrue. This hurts the integrity of the film, but doesn't take away too much. This is still a pretty emotional, memorable movie. I enjoyed it very much.

The film is greatly helped by the impressive, epic cast. Not all these incredible actors get the screen time they deserve, but they use the time they do have quite well. Kevin Bacon is chilling in an evil, unforgivable role. His performance is haunting and makes this movie hard to forget. Jason Patric gives a good performance, although you kind of wish a better actor was in this role. He is surrounded by such incredible actors, that although his performance is good, he still seems a bit out of his league. Brad Pitt is good, but doesn't have nearly enough screen time. I wish he was on screen much more. Dustin Hoffman was terrific in a small role. I didn't expect him to make much of an impact, but he's pretty impressive and manages to make the movie better with the screen time he does have. His performance in the court room was excellent.

The supporting cast is good, too. I liked seeing Brad Renfro and Jonathan Tucker as two of the boys when they were younger. I am not a big Minnie Driver fan, but she wasn't too annoying here. Lastly, I want to mention Robert De Niro. He gives the best performance of the film, a stunningly powerful, incredible performance. I loved him in this movie. For an actor who plays tough guys, bad guys, and oftentimes, violent men, it was a bit of a change for him to play a kind, loving priest. And yet, this role was crucial to the film. De Niro is terrific, and has perhaps the best moment of the film- the close up on his face as he listens to a terrible story. This is just incredible acting.

Sleepers is a very good movie that features an outstanding cast, and an incredible if not completely true story. Despite a few problems, this movie still works on multiple levels, and I enjoyed it.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Green Mile, Stand By Me, Radio Flyer, The Cure, Good Will Hunting, A Bronx Tale