Review of Stone (2010) by Gary P — 15 Jan 2012

Jack (Robert De Niro) is a department of corrections supervisor. His job requires him to decide whether a prisoner should be recommended for parole or not. Nearing his retirement, he decides to still see his last round of open cases. This includes "Stone" (Edward Norton). Stone has served eight years for accessory to a horrible crime against his own family. Stone begins to doubt whether Jack will recommend parole, so he hatches a plan. He tells his wife Lucetta (Milla Jovovich) to do whatever it takes to seduce and influence Jack. While Lucetta attempts to use her considerable appeal to help her husband, Stone starts to have a spiritual rebirth. This all starts after he witnesses a man die up close. So then comes the big question, is Stone faking this, or has he really changed for the better.

The acting is simply superb by it's three leads. Finally, De Niro actually gives a really good performance again. This is the first thing I have seen him in a while where his acting didn't seem like it was just motivated by a paycheck.