I gave this film an 8. Maybe it's just because I happen to think Giovanni Ribisi is an exceptional actor, but I really did find this to be a surprisingly good film. The one thing that didn't sit well with me was the idea that James Marsden is the star. That's simply a misnomer. He is a decent actor and does give a professional effort, but I just do not see him as the street-tough Philly kid he's supposed to be. Maybe this is a bit cynical, but there really wouldn't be much reason for a woman to watch this movie if not for somebody with good looks like Marsden playing the lead character and gracing the cover of the DVD. Hey, don't get me wrong, Piper Perabo has made me watch a movie or two that I regret, so it definitely goes both ways. Still, I could have done without the forced romance angle that they really tried to pull off between the two of them. But overall I definitely would recommend seeing this film for Ribisi's performance if nothing else. As he ages he's beginning to play some much darker, grittier characters which suits him very well. His versatility is astounding, especially his ability to maintain a level of sympathy no matter how many misdeeds he commits. Check this one out if you're a fan of the genre, it will hold your attention and may surprise you a bit as it's much more than just the former Marine forced to return home in order save his family from a couple of corrupt cops trying to extort him.
