Review of Sleepers (1996) by Alicia S — 18 Feb 2014

Within the opening scenes of this thrilling drama Sleepers, it feels as if you have stepped foot straight into the 1960's slums of Hell's Kitchen, New York. Illustrated with thick accents and profanity, the prevalent domestic abuse and gang life among the streets is brought to life within this film as we follow the lives of four boys and their experiences within them. A timeless story, Sleepers expresses the power of friendship through the loyalty these boys share as they face the brutal conditions of a ruthlessly inhumane reformatory after sentenced to The Wilkinson's School for Boys for a mistake that changes their lives forever. This film will keep you on your feet as their lives are placed in the hands of their dearly beloved priest, Father Bobby, who is left to decide their fate.

Barry Levinson made no mistake in the casting of this suspenseful film. With the impeccable acting of Kevin Bacon, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Bruno Kirby, Jason Patric, and Brad Pitt, the intense emotion portrayed in these scenes allows us to truly believe their story. Kevin Bacon, in his presence alone, has the power to cause the audience to cringe in detestation as he plays the role of Nokes a sadistic guard at the Wilkinson's School for Boys. His power is evident as the other guards follow him into heinous and torturous acts of physical, mental, and sexual abuse stripping the boys of their dignity upon just minutes of his appearance on set.

Anxiety builds in the audience with the sounds of rhythmic footsteps echoing over the unmerciful voices of the guards in several scenes as the boys are led down to the inevitable occurrences that await them in the basement of the correctional center. The dingy and abandoned hallways lit only with dim white light really set the tone to give the viewer the impression that these eerie hallways are never ending as the dreaded events are anticipated and cause the audience to do all that they can not to look away while viewing the horrible experiences these boys face that leave them with nothing but humility, shame, and shear hate for the guards.

Forever unforgiving, these boys swear to each other never to speak on what they were put through after they made it out but given the opportunity they commit their lives to getting revenge. Their only hope is left in the will of Father Bobby (Robert De Niro) who proves that he would do anything for the boys as he is willing to challenge his morals as a man of God to do an enormous favor that could never be repaid.

Truly a classic American mob story, this film is immaculate in production especially for its time. The acting alone makes this film a must see thriller. Though it is great in length, it is well worth the time of viewing to reveal how far these four friends will go for retribution for what has been taken from them in just the short period they were kept within Wilkinson's walls.