we find this movie nearly impossible to watch . with such a super cast and it a shame that the writing and direction be so awful . the excruciate pace at which the story be tell be madden . the flash back be clumsy . the character be one dimensional . the heavy hand metaphor the river and the cat be repeated way too often . the movie nobody fool and base on another novel by russo and be infinitely good and probably because it be more tightly write and direct . the photography in empire fall be lovely . too bad it wasn not a travelogue . i read the novel and enjoy the writing style but have some quibble with the novel itself . i would give the novel 4 out of 5 star . perhaps the screenwriter and director be so awe by the novel reputation they felt they have to include every darn thing in their movie . this be suppose to be a television movie and guy and not book on tape .