SunnyHello Nice effects though.

Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

charles000 review_takeYes, it is a well crafted production, powerfully presented in the context of the message it hopes to deliver.But this is where I part ways with the obvious intention of the film, which I can't really articulate here without providing a spoiler to its conclusion.My point here is that the actions of Saul, remarkably well portrayed by Jeremy Remmer, is framed in the context of a sympathetic character, fraught with a difficult array of bad choices made under duress, resulting in a horrific criminal outcome.But that's not how such things usually come about in real life. In real life, the perpetrators of horrific crimes are very often myopically self absorbed, violent sociopaths and psychopaths, completely without remorse or even the remotest capacity for anything resembling a conscience.This is where the film fails completely.Ana Nichols delivers her version of Minnie about as perfectly as any actress could to portray the circumstances represented in the story.It's not the acting, or quality of production and directing, all of which were very well done, that I have trouble with.It's the heavily slanted purported message the film is trying to drive, which is so remarkably out of sync with the actual reality it tries to portray, that makes me back away from offering a higher rating than what I offer here.Sorry . . . 6 stars is about as far as I can go with this one.

sophia7 I watched this film because of Jeremy Renner, but it was good all around. Very puzzling plot at first, but then you realize that it is unconventional and let yourself be surprised by the turn of events. Very gritty visuals and iconic landscapes of the west with Nevada-style diners in the middle of nowhere. This could be a cult film. If you see this on DVD you may have to squint to see the fine print and realize that this really is a film with a message--see Restorative Justice websites--a community approach to healing criminal injustice. Something new to me, but maybe worth looking into if you know any crime victims--or, I suppose, criminals. I agree, what is in Ana's trailer, and what happened to her husband, and why the title?

David T. Another must-see at the 2008 Phoenix Film Festival, we realized, since it got made by the producers snagging Minnie Driver in a lead role. Great film; shot with lighting and/or film stock that conferred a washed-out, bluish graininess to reflect the drear, grim thrust of the story. Reminded me of the filmic feel of last year's "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead," reviewed in this space a few months ago; then we had to defend our dwelling on Marisa Tomei's extended frontal nude scene in it in a later issue."Take's" gist was, crime victim (Driver) is on a road trip, on her way to witness the execution of the guy who caused her loss. That guy--what a loser. Much of the film follows his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Which gets worse and worse that way as a consequence of his bad choices, granted. Like in "Devil." But. The narrative arc of convergence of convict on victim or victim on convict is paralleled by the story-within-the-story of the convergence of the two on the infamous day of the crime.We didn't stay for the Q&A, but I wanted to ask the producer or director, did you see this as an anti-death penalty film? Because it seemed to me to say, "If the victim can forgive the transgressor, what business does society have insisting on its vengeance?" (As a hyper-rational guy, I recognize that's an emotion-based argument, not a logical one. I have other, unassailable reasons for opposing the death penalty.) Anyway, an excellent film; maybe, along with "The Visitor," the best of the fest. And, an awesome acting job by Jeremy Renner, as the down-and-out, reprehensible, hapless Saul. I'm just damn glad they didn't name him that because he was going to have a "Paul on the road to Damascus come-to-Jesus conversion" as his execution drew closer. In fact, he put up a pretty good fight, argument, against the chaplain sent in to give him final rites, solace, what-have-you. A fine film--almost caustic to watch, but full of integrity, intensity. (For more film-osophy of this ilk, as well as "Fake News," humor, satire, news and opinion, visit the online version of our print publication, or google it and click on the link for its blog.)

eldert22 I thought this movie was well worth the time to watch. I flew to Tribeca just to watch this movie. It was the best movie of the Tribeca Film Festival. I enjoyed how the story-lines crossed. The writing in the film was absolutely amazing. It truly is a great movie and I thought it was worth my time to watch. The actors seemed to really click and I thought the little boy was great. I would tell everyone to go see this movie when it releases. Jeremy Renner was great to watch in this role as a man struggling with his inner person. I felt as I watched this movie that this is going to be nominated for an Oscar. Great movie everyone.