Review of Sleepers (1996) by Shane L — 08 Nov 2009

More often than not, movies that introduce the characters as children miss their mark with casts that aren't convincing. Inconsistencies are one of my pet peeves when it comes to movies, particularly those revolving around characters and the actors who play those characters. Having said that, it is my opinion that the choices for the cast of Sleepers were spot on. It's not very often that audiences are presented with child actors that actually resemble their adult counterparts, and on top of that, can actually act. This may be my favorite thing about this movie. Not one person in this movie does a bad job, not even those with only one line.

To add to the refreshing cast lies a story that, real or not, stirs your insides. Its ability to hit home, whether you relate or not, is unreal. Strength, friendship, courage, and patience are only a few issues touched upon throughout this immensely gripping film. It appeals to our humanistic desire for revenge while revealing the fine line that separates it from justice. One regret that I have after watching this movie is that I fear most of its audience will have missed its subtle attempts at revealing the world in which we live as not either black nor white, but an everlasting gray that fills our lives with uncertainty.

Words like "enjoyed," or "excitement" may not be commonly used in conversation regarding this movie, but emotions run much deeper. This is not a movie that will leave audiences feeling upbeat or happy. This is a movie that will leave audiences feeling truly satisfied on a level that is rarely even acknowledged.