I agree with the brutal expression chosen for describing this movie. It is very hard to wacht. But if you were familiar with 70's cinema(a new form of classics) this is the movie to pay attention to.Full of what is called intertexts and references, it is produced as many of what I call the "new movies": composed in the form of related spots which are unified but have an unity by themselves. Even very well known actors (as Cuba Gooding, Jr.) protagonizes one of the spots.I disagree with the view that Russel Crowe do not play his part well. At the contrary, he, a Ridley Scott favorite, shines in some of these spots. It is amazing how this guy, who came from Australia, fitted so well in American movies.And Denzel, what can be said? he is a bombshell, born to be an actor since the first Spike Lee's movies.