As Good As It Gets

A Masterpiece!

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Blistering performances.

I didn't like the movie much, especially because I didn't buy the moral and religious evolution of one of the protagonists. (Excuse me for being vague, but I'm trying to avoid at least the most blatant of spoilers.) One of the protagonists starts out an egregiously violent, cruel, rage-filled man, and then works his way to the light, sustained by a belief in God and God's forgiveness. Such radical transformations happen : for instance, there are hagiographies telling of pimps, robber barons or assassins turning into truly good men and dying as saints. However, such radical transformations tend to be very, very rare (which is the reason why they fire the imagination and turn into hagiographies). Moreover, one would hope that the people who do go through a genuine conversion a) would know and recognize the full horror of their misdeeds and b) would try to make amends, especially to the innocents they hurt the most. In this movie, however, there is very little to indicate that the man who bettered his life tried to repair the awful wreckage he left behind - which is a problem, since the movie insists that he does indeed have a full grasp of his obligations before God and man. He has become good, he has achieved wisdom and he realizes he has to help a certain someone, but he doesn't do so, because... ? Because ? If there is a "because" I certainly didn't get it. So this isn't a very good film, although it contains a sprinkling of valid observations, here and there, on sin, human fallibility and redemption. Sutherland and Hurt give insightful and compelling performances, but even they can't iron out the flaws in the story. For people interested in Roman-Catholic teachings or in the Roman- Catholic sacrament of confession : leave the movie be and go talk with a Roman-Catholic neighbor or colleague. Or look up a Roman-Catholic priest. Your discussion would be interactive, you might make a friend AND there is a sporting chance of getting offered a nice pint of beer.

Why was this film overlooked? I had thought everyone in Hollywood was asleep until I learnt that the film had originally been released as a webisode series and then went straight to DVD. What a shame! This is one of the most powerful films I've watched in decades. It provokes, it challenges, it stirs the emotions -- and 95% of the film is held together with dialogue by two men sitting in a confessional. I watched it twice in one day. The script - the acting - the way the plot is developed - they are flawless, in my opinion, and worthy of any award. Kiefer Sutherland is perfectly cast as the assassin - reaching out for answers. And it's hard not to empathise with him, once you learn of his background and his obvious pain. John Hurt is brilliantly cast as the embattled priest. He has that weather-beaten face that tells a thousand stories.Another thing that puzzles me is why the two lead stars of this movie are not given top billing credit - which went to 3 bit- part roles? Something's crook in Tobruk, as they say in my country!! Much credit to all the actors - this is a film I cannot fault, and writer-director Brad Mirman is one name I'll be following with interest in future.

There is something I cannot understand;it is really beyond me;how can a movie so highly rated,a rating it thoroughly deserves , be totally overlooked by the users,as far as comments are concerned ?after watching it,I was expecting at least one hundred of them!Much to my surprise,I'm the first one to write about it.This very short work (70 min ,but no filling!),bitter and utterly uncompromising ,will perhaps be more appreciated if you were brought up a catholic ,but every viewer looking for "something different" will be rewarded.The action takes place in a confessional ,where a man who's just killed someone -and is about to repeat this crime this very night- wants a priest to give him absolution.There are many flashbacks ,and little by little ,we understand the sinner can show compassion ,pity ,and that it is not a black and white world,but surely a gray one.We guess the unexpected final twist halfway through the movie,but the interest does not suffer for it .The movie deals with religious concepts such as free will ,the relativity of what's good and what's evil and the existence of God himself is called into question;it could also be seen as a metaphoric meeting with the Devil ,but it's up to you to decide,all in all, who the real satanic being is.There're only two actors (the others are supporting for a very short time)but they are merely prodigious :Kiefer Sutherland portrays an ambiguous character,a killer who sometimes resembles a black Robin Hood (the extraordinary and totally unexpected scene of the computer),and who,from the start,got a raw deal ;Matching him every step of the way is aging John Hurt's tormented priest who believed he could redeem himself and escape from a horrible past .Even with violence kept to the minimum ,this is a pessimistic terrifying movie,which leaves no hope to the viewer .It might shock true believers ,the words do not cut ,they bite;but they inspire the vital extremism of the confrontation.70 min of your time;it's not much and you won't forget "the confession"

I love the seasons of "24" so I wanted to see Keifer Sutherland in another role. His character is similar to that of his "Jack Bauer" character but different enough to still be interesting. I like the unfolding "self realizations." Good plot, some surprises I didn't see coming which adds excitement. I'm looking forward to the upcoming episodes but with each one were at least a little longer. Keifer Sutherland is perfect for this role and the confession aspect of the series is new and different to me. The church and confessional bring a quiet depth to this series. I love the flashbacks and hope their frequency increases as the chapters unfold.If I had to sum up The Confession in a couple of words I would say it is intriguing with mysterious depth.