Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 09:19:46 -0500

From: DEI Organization: Ellcessor Media and Consulting

To: tm.hanstock@mcmail.com CC: ellroy@liszt.com

I caught it two weeks ago at the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival.

Michael Rooker turns in a compelling performance and the cast is loaded with memorable faces of some great character actors. (nice way of saying I know I've seen them in stuff, but don't know anybody's name.)

It was good to see another book on the screen, but it doesn't work completely as a neo noir. The voiceover technique doesn't work and the camera doesn't stay with Rooker long enough to get under his skin and show us his complete reaction to what's transpiring around him. The script could've been tightened up a bit, as well. There are two separate times when I thought it was over - but wasn't. Well shot, good score, plenty creepy.

Must-see as an Ellroy fan. Wish it was a bit better for the uninitiated. Definitely was good enough to make me place the book at the top of my "next to read" list.

there's two bits.

jme

--