Saw this flick last night...sure was refreshing in the midst of all the great-special-effects-but-no-story-that-you-give-a-hoot-about movies usually available to see at the multiplex.
There was lots of pressure on Mendes to come up with a worthy successor to "American Beauty" and he has certainly delivered imo. A superb story, well-written, well-acted, and beautifully shot by cinematographer Conrad Hall. It's thrilling to watch the great acting that Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law (in the creepiest part I've seen in a while), and Jennifer Jason Leigh do without saying a word. Even my son who I saw it with commented that he wanted to see it again to pick up on all the religious symbolism as well as the comparison/contrast between the Newman-Hanks "father-son" relationship & Hanks with his own son. Anyway, fwiw, great film, two thumbs up from me...nice soundtrack music as well. Bob NP: Sponge, "Molly"
