DS14

Built on a great subject, one that not only creates hope but also shows how much change is needed in the way mental patients are treated by medical professionals. Something that still needs to be fixed in many countries' healthcare systems.

The film carries strong performances and superb acting throughout, making it a must-watch if you're someone who enjoys stories with genuine positivity. At its heart is the touching relationship between a lawyer and her opinionated client, carried through with dialogues that feel sharp, real, and full of meaning. Watching their bond develop is both emotional and inspiring.

What stood out most for me was how the film teaches respect for every human being, and how Eleanor Reise rose above her disabilities to enjoy her existence with dignity and strength. How she kept a loving heart despite being at the receiving end of the brutality of this society.

I especially have to praise Helena Bonham Carter, as she was phenomenal. The way she portrayed the pain, the urology issues, the stomach aches, it was so convincing that I almost felt the discomfort myself while watching.

A rare film that lingers in your heart.

I felt it was a brave attempt by Robert Redford and the whole team. At least they had the courage to ask the right questions about the so called War on Terror, a subject most films wouldn't dare touch back then.

It's thought provoking in intention, but in execution the film feels uneven. With such a star studded cast of Redford, Streep, Cruise, the performances were obviously strong, but the pacing is painfully slow. Honestly, the whole thing would have worked better as a stage play with its three distinct acts of dialogue driven tension rather than as a feature film.

Some choices also felt a little forced. The two students who get convinced to enlist being a Black man and a Hispanic man came across as overly politically correct. The exchanges between the Senator and the journalist, though sharp at times, became predictable after a point, like a rhetorical sparring match where you already know the outcome. The idealistic straight A student arc felt contrived and written more for messaging than authenticity.

Watching it today, the film feels dated. The global discourse has shifted so much since 2007, and wars, geopolitics, and media narratives have taken turns no one could have predicted then. Still, it remains an important attempt, a reminder of how cinema sometimes dares to ask questions, even if the answers don't fully land.

I liked it in parts, though it never felt like an all-out adrenaline rush. The racing sequences were shot really well, even if some maneuvers were too impractical, they did give the film its thrills. What didn't work for me was Brad Pitt, who just looked bored throughout, and the romance angle, which felt totally unnecessary.

The biggest letdown was the music. Hans Zimmer usually elevates films, but here it felt flat and forgettable. Honestly, it gave me the vibe of Top Gun with F1 cars, but without Tom Cruise's energy. It also makes comparisons to Rush inevitable, and this one doesn't come close to that level.

Still, despite the void I felt, it's a good film, enjoyable, rewatchable, but never hitting top gear.