Review of Sleepers (1996) by Jared S — 11 Nov 2011

The most underrated movie of the 90's. The 2-part movie stars Dustin Hoffman, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, Billy Crudup (in his first role ever) and Robert De Niro is one of his more underrated performances. But Kevin Bacon stands out as an intimidating prison guard who along with other guards sexually abuses children at the Wilkinson Home for Boys.

The story is shocking as it unfolds from 'Goodfellas' to 'Shawshank Redemption' to 'A Few Good Men'. I mean the amount of 'shit that goes down' in this movie is incredible. The question of morality and more so, morality v. loyalty is a theme that strikes my interest most about the movie. It ends on a happy note when in reality what has just taken place is so immoral:

(don't read this part if you haven't seen it).

First off the boys reunite to "get even" when in fact they have already killed the main guard (and plan on not killing any more). So instead they "get even" by freeing 2 men (who only long ago were innocent boys). One who has killed 4 other people and the other who might be just as guilty. So 2 killers are on the loose bec. 2 'childhood' friends decided it was justification for revenge (although Nokes is already dead)...

Anyway the film doesn't answer the question of morality (or at least I don't think they do). But you can admire the story and film for a number of reasons.

The little touches made under Levinson's direction are what really made the movie:

Shakes' father still being mean and cruel towards his mother when he drops by after all these years.

The dramatic capturing and editing of the hot dog vendor going down the stairs.

Robert De Niro's reaction as he hears what happened years ago.

The different shades of coloring.