Be it "Bridge on the River Kwai," "Not Without My Daughter," or "Alive," true stories of human spirit and survival have inspired and enthralled audiences, who learn from the struggles and pain, and triumph other people.
Which brings us to 'Sleepers,' adapted from the "true" story by Lorenzo Carcaterra. Now, I'm all for a good story, but this one falls together too easily for it to be anything other than good fiction with great actors. I don't for one second believe this story actually happened.
Four boys under the tutelage of a priest named Father Bobby (Robert DeNiro) and a gangster played by a sinister-looking Italian (Victorio Gassman) live in Hell's Kitchen, a rough and violent neighborhood in the slums of New York. In the most memorable scene of any movie I've seen this year, the boys manage to commit a dastardly, crime that nets them each at least one year in the Wilkinson Home for Boys.
Thus begins phase two of the movie, where despite their tough upbringing, the boys are tortured and raped by gaurds at the home. Thus, their lives are changed forever by these pedophiles.
Phase three, the last half of the movie, deals with the revenge upon the guards when the boys are adults. Two of the four boys transform from Stand By Me characters into Pulp Fiction thugs. This dark story becomes a 'legal thriller' to make any lawyer proud. It makes for weak second half of the movie.
Robert DeNiro did a same-as-usual showing (which is always good), but I'd like to slap Brad Pitt for his goofy attempt at a Brooklyn accent.
Dustin Hoffman, in a very small role as an alcoholic, washout defense attorney, steals the show. His character is hilarious and Hoffman gives him a depth not called for in the script.
The first half of the movie was jam-packed full of great action, but that slows down by the second half, where the only courtroom comedy relief is Dustin Hoffman.
This is the type of film that will make a ton of money this year, but two years down the road, won't be remembered.
The entire story falls into place far too easily to be true. I'd give it more respect if Carcaterra would give it up and admit his story nothing more than good fiction.
DeNiro and Hoffman were really the saving grace of this film.