Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

IslandGuru Who payed the critics

Laikals The greatest movie ever made..!

Konterr Brilliant and touching

JohnnyLee1 Cast of truly unlikeable characters makes this difficult to really like but it has very strong actors in the roles and a grunge realism that is created perfectly by director Slattery. Portrays ambiguity of people. More comedic touches would have helped. A sweet-as-pie deadly sharp shooting florist, a truckload of meat that can't be given away, a body that doesn't stay still, etc., would have been comedy gold in any other movie. Running time: only 80 mins.

dansview What is it with this love affair people have with movies about east coast urban ethnics? I'm so sick of it. At least Deniro branched out a bit.Here's another story about inner city white Catholics drinking, fighting, and screwing. OK, we get it already.Hoffman is so fat. It's really remarkable that he looks the same in every film. He's short, has no muscle, and has that enormous beer belly. You would think he would have the discipline to alter his look for different roles. I don't buy him as Italian or whatever the heck he was supposed to be. But he is talented in his understated way.John Turturro as a greasy inner city thug? There's a stretch.If both the murdered kid's parents are reasonably calm people, how did he wind up being almost like a feral alley cat? That seemed unrealistic.I do get it that the dilemmas that Hoffman goes through are just vehicles to highlight the different characters in the neighborhood and the overall vicious cycle of it all.But in these movies, you rarely see anyone engaged in anything other than a stereotype. Where was the parish priest? Does anyone work a normal job? Does anyone play an instrument or coach little league? Generally speaking, working class Catholics do get into a lot of mischief world wide. I'm not disputing that. But even in a neighborhood like the one here, there are plenty of exceptions. Although we don't see them.The most interesting aspect was the question of whether the columnist truly respects a certain dignity in the people, or is simply an educated elitist lampooning them for educated readers. Even he isn't sure. Furthermore, he is as sleazy as them. He drinks, he's a horn dog, and he's lazy. In some sense, he sees himself ironically in the people he is writing about.I think he was trying to explain that irony to the lady when he says that he's 60 and the city loves him.As others have said, there was no indication of it taking place in modern times, but also no obvious references to retro culture. I suppose the fact that people read a print paper for their information says it all.If you don't mind gratuitous violence, ugly sex, and loads of profanity, give it a try for its characterizations and atmosphere. I wish I hadn't.

lakegrovefc The synopsis of this film is inaccurate. Mickey (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) does not try to cover up the death of his stepson. He actually does not care how he died or who might be responsible. He simply wants to get the funeral arranged, done and paid for to please his grieving wife. This proves much more difficult than he anticipates. His wife pressures him to find out what really happened so he gets some pretty nasty people involved. The setting is perfect, the characters believable and the film kept me entertained. This movie is definitely a black comedy/drama. Not for everyone, but if your sense of humor leans in that direction and you are not squeamish about profanity and blood, you should enjoy it.

taptoe As a former professional film critic it never ceases to amaze me how people can't see quality in films such as this. A unique story, with depth and feeling, with outstanding performances. Phillip Seymour Hoffman...what a loss. I'm so bored with movies that have only one motive, to make a fast buck, and hunger more for films of this type with real characters in situations that while they may seem unlikely have a quirkiness that is enticing and entertaining. Loved the scene in the back of the truck when the two heavyweight thugs take on the site foreman who really shows he can handle himself. Totally unexpected that. Total box office a million dollars? Oh, my God, how dumb have we become.