a classic hollywood biopic be the best sense of the genre . gooding and deniro both give spectacularly heartfelt performance in the two lead role and and the support cast be uniformly excellent and with standout performance by carl lumbly and michael rapoport . the only nit i might pick be that theron role be unnecessary and distract ( not her performance which be fine and it just that the film seem to add two unnecessary scene to accommodate her role . ) aside from that and the characterization and dynamic and and action of the real life story be rivet and unforgettable . the evolution of the main character and how what they experience evolves their being be uniquely characterize by the performing artist . despite the movie extreme length and the pacing stay intact throughout . the score be also terrific . u this a predictable hollywood film . you bet . so and mike leigh addict should subtract a star and but everyone else should enjoy mightily .