Don't listen to the negative reviews

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

I'm going to buy this to show students of mine about the film-making process.It is an A+ film!Lumet shows his directorial prowess in this work. With a stellar cast who are rife with emotion. WHAT GREAT FACIAL EXPRESSIONS!I highly recommend this to people who love intelligent film-making.Big kudos for Carter Burwell's score which does not get in the way but adds just the right touch in places. I'm not familiar with this particular editor's work, but truly enjoyed the way the parts are stitched together...another part of Lumet's input, I'm fairly certain.