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Title: It was a great book...
Review: Elroy's first entry in the L.A. Quartet books (along with L.A. Confidential, etc.) is a crime fiction classic. Brian DePalma's incoherent attempt at bringing it to the screen, sadly less so. Hartnett's Spock-like delivery, Johansson's oddly detached line-readings and Eckhart's minor role combine into a perfect storm of bland movie-making. Hilary Swank, however, comes across as strangely appealing and Mia Kirshner affects a palpable sadness and desperation. Unfortunately, these could not rescue this film; I could conceivably eat some Alphabits cereal and poo out a better and more logical script.
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