Forest Whitaker is released on parole from prison after serving 18 years for killing a cop. Returning to where it occurred he is harassed by sheriff Harvey Keitel and chased by his ex gangster employer, Luis Guzman. He is only real support is provided by his no nonsense parole officer Brenda Blethyn.
More of a redemption mood piece than the hinted at battle between Whitaker and Keitel. There are long scenes of Whitaker brooding, mumbling and clearly getting ready to explode and when it does inevitably come it's fine, if perhaps something of an anti climax. Whitaker is strong enough in the lead whilst Keitel's character seems more of a disgruntled child than a brutal cop. This leaves Blethyn to run away with the film giving a great turn as the parole officer who cares, but doesn't take nonsense from either Whitaker or Keitel and you believe it. Ok.
More of a redemption mood piece than the hinted at battle between Whitaker and Keitel. There are long scenes of Whitaker brooding, mumbling and clearly getting ready to explode and when it does inevitably come it's fine, if perhaps something of an anti climax. Whitaker is strong enough in the lead whilst Keitel's character seems more of a disgruntled child than a brutal cop. This leaves Blethyn to run away with the film giving a great turn as the parole officer who cares, but doesn't take nonsense from either Whitaker or Keitel and you believe it. Ok.