It's the movie that takes you right to the core of where the Devil himself conjures his plans Hell's Kitchen. It is more than just a single story, and instead four closely related character arcs woven into one film. It traces the characters of Johnny (Mekhi Phifer), Gloria (Angelina Jolie), Patty (Johnny Whitworth), and Liz (Rosanna Arquette).
It takes off with Johnny, Gloria and Patty doing a robbery that completely falls apart and results in the death of Gloria's younger brother. We then move forward five years and this is where the main arc of the film begins, initiated by what happened at the robbery. There are a lot of side characters with their own stories, such as an old Ex-boxer called Lou, and a young homeless boy called Ricky. The movie confronts a lot of social issues such as drug addiction, rape, murder, homelessness, theft, and the list goes on. As the four main character's stories intertwine, we see these issues dealt with in various ways and watch some function as catalysts for others.
It relies more on a selected soundtrack as opposed to an original score, which works excellently as the songs (primarily from singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur) often possess special significance to the scenes they accompany. The movie is a little slow moving at times, and that in addition to a noticeably cheap production budget may make it difficult for some to sit through. Yet for those who are prepared to sit down and enter the confronting world of Hell's Kitchen, there is a raw, emotional, and even realistic drama ready to be appreciated.
Overall a confronting, emotional, and insightful piece that is probably underrated due to cheap production and promotion. However the script does the characters great justice and the acting is brilliant, especially from the four leads. Definitely recommended, especially for Jolie fans. (Like myself!) I give it 7.5/10.
John Hanlen.
It takes off with Johnny, Gloria and Patty doing a robbery that completely falls apart and results in the death of Gloria's younger brother. We then move forward five years and this is where the main arc of the film begins, initiated by what happened at the robbery. There are a lot of side characters with their own stories, such as an old Ex-boxer called Lou, and a young homeless boy called Ricky. The movie confronts a lot of social issues such as drug addiction, rape, murder, homelessness, theft, and the list goes on. As the four main character's stories intertwine, we see these issues dealt with in various ways and watch some function as catalysts for others.
It relies more on a selected soundtrack as opposed to an original score, which works excellently as the songs (primarily from singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur) often possess special significance to the scenes they accompany. The movie is a little slow moving at times, and that in addition to a noticeably cheap production budget may make it difficult for some to sit through. Yet for those who are prepared to sit down and enter the confronting world of Hell's Kitchen, there is a raw, emotional, and even realistic drama ready to be appreciated.
Overall a confronting, emotional, and insightful piece that is probably underrated due to cheap production and promotion. However the script does the characters great justice and the acting is brilliant, especially from the four leads. Definitely recommended, especially for Jolie fans. (Like myself!) I give it 7.5/10.
John Hanlen.