There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

I did not like the movie because that Val Kilmer is that terrible to Noah Fliss. He should wind up in prison for the terrible things he had done to him. Also I did not like the way Camryn Manheim spanked that kid in the classroom. If she did that for real, she will wind up in a woman's prison and not have her teacher job anymore. Spanking in schools is very wrong and against the law which is why I am against the movie and refuse to see this anyhow. This shows proof that Noah Fliss should notify the Children's Aid Society and his psychiatrist over this matter and they would take further actions on them for what wrongful incidents Val Kilmer and Camryn Manheim did.

A slice-of-life about a boy growing up in the 1970s. He lives in a very working-class family where the father is either absent, abusive or drinking. Joe is the only one in his family who is trying to put it all back together but at the expense of his own work as a dishwasher and his school work. His attempts to help his family are often illegal like breaking into cars to get goods which he pawns for money. In turn he uses the money to replace his mother's record collection which his abusive father broke.It's a pretty good movie. The acting by the kids is pretty impressive. These were either already street kids well accustomed with the word 'Fuck' and its multiple uses or were simply good young actors.Val Kilmer is surprisingly good in this movie. He often is if the script is right. Ethan Hawke gives one of his usually good performances.

unsentimental--realistic--terribly sad..i'm surprised that whaley has not been given more chances to write and direct..there has been a slew of excellent films being made by actors such as FRAILTY by biil paxton,IN THE BEDROOM by todd fields and JOE THE KING..actors seem to have a great handle on getting inside believable characters and are able to transfer these skills as film-makers..in any case,this film shows us the terrible consequences of neglectful/abusive parents..it also shows the ironic consequences of un-informed actions..ethan hawke, as the guidance counselor,meant only the best for the boy,but wound up getting him arrested...val kilmer's character,as the abusive loser of a father,somehow managed to exhibit some humanity(great performance)

As I watched this brilliant film by Frank Whaley, I found myself more and more, examining crime in general. Certainly there are more than a few people that think convicts are born bad and should do the max. However, this film shows under what conditions criminals are made and you know what, it is not always their fault. I know this sounds like liberal claptrap, but I believe it true. In this movie, we see a young man that literally has nothing. An abusive, alcoholic father that is rarely around, unless he is there to smack him around. A mother that can't manage her own affairs, much less anybody elses'. An odd brother that generally only thinks of himself. Then we have our main character who strives to make a go of it and bring them together. He is good and caring, but he is too young to provide for everybody. The family is destitute and will never be the uniting force it needs to be for the betterment of our main character's life. . Our character is uneducated and left to fend on his own, inevitably he turns to crime. Gripping movie that I could not break away from. Highly recommended.