i watch this film in a very strange way i have put it on my netflix list and couldn not remember why ( other than that i know philip seymour hoffman be in it ) . since the film have no opening credit and i couldn not even remember who have direct it . a my wife and i watch it and i turn to her about 45 minute in and say and you know and i keep want to decide that i hate this film and but something about it just would not let me stop watch it . then there a stretch of about half a dozen scene in the middle of the movie that be truly electrify in the actor performance . it be only a the end credit roll that i realize it be a sidney lumet film . and i think wow . i be surprise that lumet take on what be really a dirty and petty little story about really mean and broken people . but it a testament to his talent that i be so take in when i do not even realize it be him . philip seymour hoffman be really and really good in this movie . like scary good . put this up against capote and i would argue the oscar should have be for this film instead . i also highly recommend the narrative special feature with lumet and hawke and hoffman talk about make the movie it entertain and educational and with hawke play the student eager to learn at the master foot . lumet definitely teach you the first rule of work with actor kiss their ass constantly . there be a lot of violent and melodramatic movie out there that be empty cipher when all be say and do . and there be an element of that in this film that the actor fill the air with sulphurous blast of emotion and and when the smoke clear there nothing leave . nothing resonate on a deep level . but lumet have give u network and twelve angry men film that and each in their own way and have be elevate into the high echelon of cinema . this movie isn not at that level . but there something about it that linger . and maybe that enough . my final comment be about the comment if you look at the number of comment about this little movie here on imdb and the depth and intelligence of the comment and pro and con it a pretty good indication that something special be go on with this film .