Influences

Pacino has expanded his usual sufficient range of expressions "nervous, tired, sad" this time with "lightly in the mood" and later with "heavily on edge". However, not even his divine acting is enough to make a better impression, because the plot lacks coherence and interest for most of the time. (16/07/2006)

This thriller features the actor Al Pacino, who gives his traditionally good performance as an aging, faded star of the big media. He adds 20% to the film. Among the other actors, the attractive Tea Leoni stands out as a debauched movie star. Unfortunately, the screenplay is not very original - I have seen at least a dozen films with a similar theme. Overall impression 60%. (16/07/2006)

A lifeless wreck tries to get back to the top. Pacino is perfect, teetering on the brink of breakdown, with the expression of a someone working on autopilot. Won’t we all end up looking like that some time? The story is on the whole average, the power of the powerful and their double lives. If it weren’t for Al’s acting recital, this movie would have nothing going for it. P.S.: Kim Basinger is terribly cute in this. The worst thing in this world, Michael, is to know too much. Better to try and stay naive. That’s better. (25/03/2013)