It really wasn't until "The Usual Suspects" (1995) that I really noticed Kevin Spacey, and from then on I really looked at him as one of the very best actors in Hollywood. That doesn't mean I've always appreciated the movies he's selected to appear in, but -- like Jack Nicholson -- even in a bad film, Spacey is interesting to watch.
And so, when this film came on cable, I thought I'd watch a bit of it just to enjoy a Spacey performance, but I had no intention of watching the whole film. But, as usual, the joy of watching Spacey act pulled me in and I watched it all...and I'm glad I did. That's not to say this is a great film. It's not. But it's better than average...perhaps.
The first strength is in Spacey's performance. Flawless, as it almost always is. And what is Spacey's strength. In my view, much the same as the strength in Spencer Tracy's mature performances -- understatement.
Barry Pepper is also excellent as a fellow conspirator of Abramoff's. Jon Lovitz...well, I can't quite decide how I feel about his performance as a sleaze ball, but at the very least he was interesting. No one else in the film stands out in my mind, but everyone does their job.
To enjoy this film, you have to either like Spacy or enjoy politics...or both. Recommended, though I doubt this will end up on your DVD shelf.
And so, when this film came on cable, I thought I'd watch a bit of it just to enjoy a Spacey performance, but I had no intention of watching the whole film. But, as usual, the joy of watching Spacey act pulled me in and I watched it all...and I'm glad I did. That's not to say this is a great film. It's not. But it's better than average...perhaps.
The first strength is in Spacey's performance. Flawless, as it almost always is. And what is Spacey's strength. In my view, much the same as the strength in Spencer Tracy's mature performances -- understatement.
Barry Pepper is also excellent as a fellow conspirator of Abramoff's. Jon Lovitz...well, I can't quite decide how I feel about his performance as a sleaze ball, but at the very least he was interesting. No one else in the film stands out in my mind, but everyone does their job.
To enjoy this film, you have to either like Spacy or enjoy politics...or both. Recommended, though I doubt this will end up on your DVD shelf.