Objectively speaking, there is nothing wrong with this movie. It is well, even intelligently, written and well acted. It's intentions are fairly pure and, more importantly, a little ambiguous. (You don't really believe its arguing for restrictions on the press. But it lays bare some of the problems.) It is a well meaning film.
But...
It's a little flat. I'm not sure why. Possibly direction. Possibly a...self-important (perhaps grasping more than it could achieve?) screenplay. I'm really not sure why. But it feels to me it should have been more...compelling than it was. Perhaps if the Paul Newman character (not as acted. As written.) left you feeling a bit more ambiguous as to his role...or even his knowledge...in the key crime. Maybe if it was played by someone other than Paul Newman. Maybe if the direction/editing had been a little tighter than it was. (I do like Sydney Pollack, by the way.) I do recommend seeing this film. It is interesting at worst. But...it seems like it could have been more. Much more. It feels like it wanted to be.
But...
It's a little flat. I'm not sure why. Possibly direction. Possibly a...self-important (perhaps grasping more than it could achieve?) screenplay. I'm really not sure why. But it feels to me it should have been more...compelling than it was. Perhaps if the Paul Newman character (not as acted. As written.) left you feeling a bit more ambiguous as to his role...or even his knowledge...in the key crime. Maybe if it was played by someone other than Paul Newman. Maybe if the direction/editing had been a little tighter than it was. (I do like Sydney Pollack, by the way.) I do recommend seeing this film. It is interesting at worst. But...it seems like it could have been more. Much more. It feels like it wanted to be.
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