Is it because I do not find casual corruption in the police all that shocking? Is it because I don't find casual heavy drug use amoung wealthy, healthy high school kids astounding? Is it because I don't find Michael Douglas' role/acting all that convincing, a reprise of other performances he's given? Is it because, oh hell, I don't care why, it just isn't that big a deal.
To those of you that have been reading/hearing my reviews for years, I think we have another Citizen Kane thing going on here. Does the Emperor have clothes or is the fat bastard waddling down the lane naked as a jaybird? I don't begrudge Benicio Del Torro his Oscar, but I'd've given it to him for Usual Suspects (accent! or is it incomprehensibilty?) or for Fear and Loathing (hey, there he gained about 40 pounds, that's an Oscar fav!) in Las Vegas, but for this role? I don't think so.
Oh, but then again, he did have to do a Mexican accent (he's not). He had to squint into the sun, too. Oh, and there's that bit about being the corrupt cop with the heart of gold. Yeah, that's a stretch for him. Look, the man is talented, but this role isn't the best showcase of what he can do. Look at Snatch, comedy, drama, gambling AND an accent (he's not Yiddish, so far as I know). I bet he can tap dance! Give him an Oscar!
Am I just being cranky? Yeah, right and your mother too! Naaah!