Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #149475 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-10-04
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Color, Widescreen, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: French
• Dubbed in: French
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 108 minutes

Amazon.com
John Gregory Dunne turned the true story of Los Angeles's Black Dahlia murder case into a compelling novel and then adapted the novel (with wife Joan Didion) for this meaty movie mystery directed by Ulu Grosbard. A study of the ways power corrupts, and the way corruption consumes the soul, the film stars Robert Duvall and Robert De Niro as a pair of brothers (a cynical police detective and a rapidly rising monsignor, respectively) who come into conflict over the case of a murdered woman in 1940s Hollywood. De Niro gives a beautifully shaded performance, while Duvall, who never gives a bad one, gets the slightly flashier role. Yet there's nothing showy about Duvall, who gets under the skin of this cop and who knows better than to get personally involved in a case but ultimately can't help it. A fine supporting cast includes Kenneth McMillan, Charles Durning, and Burgess Meredith. Maybe too studied for some, but worth watching if only for the two leads. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews

Unrecognized classic
I am in complete agreement with 'A viewer from Summit N.J.', unable to understand why this thoughtful, moving film failed to achieve the recognition is so clearly deserves. De Niro and Duvall are both at their distinguished best, their interaction as brothers one of the most persuasive and compelling I have ever seen on the screen. The evocation of the period - including the Catholic Church of the day - seems flawless, and the slowly unfolding drama of personal redemption gives the movie very unusual dramatic weight. An excellent film in every way.

DVD Has Both Full Screen AND Widescreen
I received my DVD today and despite what the "Product Details" say above, the movie is presented in both Full Screen AND Widescreen.

critics are sometimes wrong
Simply stated, this is a great watch. The critics did not care for this effort. Some say it is too complex, too much thinking required to follow the plot. Not at all. It is a perfect blend of hero, anti-hero, humanity's darkside and finally, a redeeming closure. DeNiro and Duvall "made" this movie!