Suman Roberson
It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.
ralphkelly
Barry Levinson's all star heavy Sleepers is a very, very good film featuring some standout performances from known and unknown faces. This is a film you will remember for some time since you leave the theater.
gradyharp
I told him about four frightened boys who prayed to Father Bobby's God for help that never came.
Barry Levinson successfully adapted Lorenzo Carcaterra's disturbing book about the progress of four boys becoming men under stressful circumstances. Barry Levinson also directed the film with great sensitivity. Though difficult to watch for some because of the subject matter, this is a fine movie that deserves repeat watchings for the lessons it carries.As children, Lorenzo Carcaterra aka 'Shakes' (Jason Patrick), Michael Sullivan (Brad Pitt), Tommy Marcano (Billy Crudup), and John Reilly (Ron Eldard) were inseparable. They grew up in Hell's Kitchen, a neighborhood filled with scams and shakedowns, but one where the rules were known by its residents. The one adult who they admired was Father Bobby Carelli (Robert De Niro), who understood them as kids more than most adults. In 1967, their lives would change forever when a typical teenage prank went wrong which led to the four of them being sentenced to various terms at Wilkinson Home for Boys, a reformatory. There, they were physically, emotionally and sexually abused primarily by Sean Nokes (Kevin Bacon), the head guard of their cellblock, and fellow guards Ralph Ferguson (Terry Kinney), Henry Addison (Jeffrey Donavan), and Adam Styler (Lenny Loftin). Their time at the home affected the four, not all who were able to emerge from the experience to regroup their lives. To attempt to forget about the experience, they made a vow not to talk about it. Fast forward thirteen years, with Tommy and Johnny being career criminals, Michael an assistant district attorney and Shakes a newspaper writer, their friendship on the surface more loose than it was when they were children. When Tommy and John spot Nokes, it leads to Shakes and Michael banding together to exact revenge not only on Nokes but all four of the guards who abused them. Michael had long mapped out a plan even before Tommy and John saw Nokes, but that sighting and its aftermath alters the plan. Michael has the most to lose even if the plan succeeds. Most of the plan implementation is left to Shakes who has to enlist the machine of Hell's Kitchen, including mob boss King Benny (Vittorio Gassman), and their childhood friend, social worker Carol Martinez (Minnie Driver), John's girlfriend. Beyond co-opting aging lawyer Danny Snyder Al Pacino), who admits he may not be the best choice as an alcoholic who is no longer near the top of his game, the plan is threatened by a key piece, the need for an irreproachable figure to perjure him or herself, that person who Michael and Shakes hopes will be Father Bobby. Father Bobby, even if he knew of the abuse, is challenged to do his friends this favor of an illegal nature because he has to balance the morality of the situation. The film closes with events of years later that are disturbing. Excellent acting, finely paced direction and a taut story in three acts make this a film to remember. Highly recommended.
Python Hyena
Sleepers (1996): Dir: Barry Levinson / Cast: Robert De Niro, Kevin Bacon, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, Dustin Hoffman: What the title represents is beyond me but the story regards four boys who are sentenced to the Wilkinson Home for Boys after a prank goes seriously wrong. They undergo years of brutal and sexual abuse by the head guard. They have one friend, a Priest who visits them. When released they encounter the guard again and take a murderous revenge. Catchy setup results in an ending that is wrong regardless of the arguments. Director Barry Levinson creates realism and insight just as he achieved with Rain Man and Diner. Robert De Niro is superb as a Priest placed in a difficult position but that is what opens for a corrupt ending. Kevin Bacon is excellent as the abusive guard who discovers karma in his future. Brad Pitt and Jason Patric portray the victims who pulled the wrong prank and suffer to extremes. Dustin Hoffman steals scenes as the opposing lawyer who may have an issue with his eyes. Viewers can definitely sympathize with both individuals but the film's willingness to take its eye for an eye justice as it does, just doesn't present much faith in any justice system. It addresses sins and the consequences that drive us to commit certain decisions. It is a dark and unpleasant film based on dark and unpleasant circumstances. Score: 7 / 10
