Slow Burn

The plot is not what brings your focus to bear with this film - it is the absolutely horrible acting performances of the players. James Spader's agent should spend significant resources to pass the rumour that he didn't have a part in this film (he's practically unrecognizable anyway); Minnie Driver's contribution is in the body part only league; and Josh Brolin should not give up his day job. In particular, the language accents taken on by Driver & Brolin are forced, stereotypical, and false. In fact, for me, the disastrous lack of some kind of sanity in the plotline coupled with loser performances of Driver and Brolin made the desert scenes the most interesting part of the film. Spader is a fine actor who just doesn't need this kind of drivel on his record. Scale of 0-10: a 2 for Spader and the desert scenes.

The reason I rented this film was because it featured James Spader. However, after watching it I would say Mr. Brolins performance deserves far more kudos. Overall, the film was so-so. The plot was a tad shaky and not layered out very well. Minnie Driver did a good job of looking haggard and perplexed but her role did not require much else. Spader was fine but his accent drove me mad. It was a funky cross between a man with a frog in his throat and a fellow from New Jersey. Despite the lackluster pace of the film I enjoyed every minute that featured Duster(Brolin). He played his character with depth and was convincing. I really liked that he had a special protection feeling for the bird, that was sweet. Overall though, this film was pretty shoddy and could have been a way better piece than it was.

...how many reviewers are unfamiliar with GREED, an engrossing and fascinating film that many critics list in their all-time top ten. This film is a blatant tribute to that film and the book it's based on. Among the many clues are the setting, the characters' names (Marcus, Trina, McTeague, Frank Norris (!!)), the theme, and probably many more things that I've missed. To all who are reading this, please immediately make plans to see GREED by Erich Von Stroheim, the Man You Love to Hate, and the butler from SUNSET BOULEVARD! To be a serious movie-watcher and not to have seen it, is like being interested in drama and having never read Shakespeare.

=== NO SPOILERS ==> Don't ya love movies that blatantly warn you how bad they are by their title? Here's a prime example. Oh... My... GAWD! It goes on, and on, and on, AND NOTHING HAPPENS! You feel like you're the one lost out in the desert. I only watched this for Spader and Driver. Spader is almost unrecognizable which is the only interesting thing about this movie. Unbelievably, this thing cost (according to IMDB) $10 million to make? So the backers got feel the burn as well.

I will not spend time dissecting each action and try to compare this to a combination of "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948), and "Legend of the Lost" (1957).

Trina (Minnie Driver) is treasure hunting at any cost. The treasure is a hoard of diamonds that used to belong to her grandmother. We see why through a series of flashbacks. Diamonds exchange hands a few times.

This film stands on its own as a slow-paced (which gives sagacity) interaction of cunning minds in a desolate area vying for a prize more important than the other person. You have seen it before, and you will see it again; so, sit back and enjoy this variation.