Sunday Mirror
March 14, 2004

THE STARS Joseph Fiennes, Elisabeth Shue, Sam Shepard, Dennis Hopper, Deborah Unger

THE STORY Two seemingly disparate storylines alternate through the film, eventually revealing their heartbreaking link. In present-day Mississippi, Stephen (Fiennes) is released from prison after 15 years, and starts working at a motel. He writes constantly in his room. Work is a hassle due to the nasty regular Horace (Hopper, inset below). In 1960s Mississippi Mary Bloom (Shue) is traumatised when her husband and daughter die in a car crash. She drunkenly brings up her son Leopold, convinced a lover she hates fathered him. As the two storylines develop, the links become clear.

WHAT'S GOOD? Joseph Fiennes is nicely cast as the enigmatic Stephen, bringing a fine balance of intensity and awkwardness. Elisabeth Shue is also good as the troubled mother who ruins her son's early years because she is convinced she caused the death of her husband and daughter.

WHAT'S BAD? Though it is always fun to see what Dennis Hopper is going to do, in Leo he delivers his by-numbers psycho performance.

HOW LONG IS IT? A smart 104 mins.

FINAL VERDICT A well-constructed and thoughtful drama.