- Sensibility: A curious police bust near the end and some intermittent lackadaisical give pause in a movie that is painfully real and sensible.
- Cinematography: Near flawless. Production design, makeup, hairstyling, and costuming are so incredible, unforgettable, and paramount to the success of this film. The film is so beautifully shot and edited that the lack of music
works as a positive, generating tension throughout.
- Energy: Great watch that doesn't let up almost ever, even without any music to push scenes forward. This is a testament to the brilliant performances of the whole cast and
brilliant production design and cinematography.
- Narrative: Brilliant story-telling and execution. The downward spiral is so well communicated, the dialogue progression between Bobby and Helen, and the complexities of their
characters give so much food for thought.
- T-Points: The film received three bonus points: one for the unforgiving shots of needles going into the skin, one for the brilliant realism of the downward spiral pacing, and one for jaw-dropping performances
from Al Pacino and Kitty Winn which really make this film a home-run.
I love this film. It has such a bleak and real portrayal of drug use that I think has a level of nuance that is rare from films about addiction. Add on top of this brilliant cinematography and visuals
and you have an unforgettable movie.
Number of Watches: 2
