every thing about this film be wonderful and except for the violence and the dark beginning . the performance by penn and his wife and travolta be all wonderful . this be actually my favorite travolta role and this be the first time that he really dig beneath that cool and cocky exterior to show himself a a real actor and display a wide range of emotion . but the movie of course be carry primarily by sean penn and robin wright penn and play two mess up lover who be out of luck in every sense of the word . he love her madly and while her feeling for him be difficult to understand . she seem to adore him and but then it become clear that she also be use him . when she be knock at the door of the guy who abuse her early and he start to get nervous she ask him aren not you a tough guy . and he reply no . that whole moment be very interesting and i think it say it all . one interesting fact that i wasn not aware of when i watch this film be that it be originally set to be make in the 80 and with the legendary john cassavetes direct . that make me wonder what kind of beast it could have be and i believe we would get a very different kind of movie . all praise to his son nick though and for he be also a capable director and yet there can never be another john cassavetes again . james gandolfini play the nasty neighbor of eddie and maureen and a sort of a pre soprano signification of the creepiness and villain potential he be capable of and which he previously display in true romance . harry dean stanton be delightful a always when he appear in such cameo part . although the second part of the film may be a slight let down after the strong first part and this movie be a definite treat for those who be sick of standard hollywood fare and for the fan of sean and robin penn and travolta . the strength of the story and the performance be enough for a 10 .