Perry Kate Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Kirandeep Yoder The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

BLau32 Great acting, great movie. Some parts were difficult to watch but made the movie that much more real. A story of how being at the wrong place and wrong time can permanently alter one's life. Captivated from beginning to end.

Fallen Eye Though Sleepers is actually, quite gripping and enjoyable, the film does struggle with some demons that put its credibility is some sort of disrepute.There is the Vicious Cycle conundrum of course, that is quite possibly the reason for the whole entire mess the boys went through. The neighborhood is rough and tough, so, it breeds more of the same conditions as its community attempts to survive. The boys steal because it is the nature of their reality. So, are the boys at fault?Then there is; The Sins of Your Father. Shakes's father did say; "Nobody in this family should do time, I did enough time for everyone". Then also, nature vs nurture and of course, do two wrongs make a right? On top of all of that, Father Bobby's dilemma, it and it against Shakes mentioning that; all that abuse and torture they experienced, they prayed to the same God Father Bobby did, but no help came... Was Father Bobby that help, finally, in that manner?Sleepers does bring up a lot of difficulties we experience as a people,and that is a good thing, but, did it tackle them well? I mean, what is the Hot Dog Vendors story? He has one, and it isn't told, it can't be told, but it is there, and it could be anything.Anyway, Joe Perrino stole the show. After a performance like that, it's too bad that his career seemingly faded into obscurity... But I'll say it again, Joe Perrino was truly amazing. Brad Pitt and Kevin Bacon too, as well as De Niro and Jason Patric were well above par and Minnie Driver was stunning. Sleepers spent too much time setting up, when it could've spent more of that time tying all the parts tighter together, which would've improved the quality and enjoyment even more, but still, the final product was well worth a watch. 7.1/10.

NateWatchesCoolMovies Barry Levinson's Sleepers is a deliberately paced, downbeat look at revenge, and is one of the most brilliant yet seemingly overlooked dramas of the 90's. Part of it could have been marketing; The cover suggests blistering violence, confrontation and courtroom intrigue. While there are such moments within the narrative, they live to serve the story, which Levinson and his dream cast are doggedly intent on telling. It's a sombre affair to be sure, slow and methodical as well, but never to be confused with boring. It's just such a great story, one that unfolds exactly as it needs to. It starts in the 1950's, where four young rapscallions run wild on the streets of Manhatten. It kicks the story off with a sort of urban Stand By Me vibe, and if you thought that film went to some heavy placed, stick around through Sleepers. When an innocent prank ends in tragedy, the four are sent to an austere children's correctional facility, where they run afoul of some sadistic and abusive guards, led by Kevin Bacon, who is scummier than scum itself. They endure months of ritual abuse at the hands of these sickos, until their eventual release. Life goes on, as it must, the four boys grow up and follow very different paths from one another. Michael (Brad Pitt) becomes an esteemed lawyer. Shakes (Jason Patric) lives a quiet life, while Tommy (Billy Crudup, wonderfully cast against type) and John (Ron Eldard) take a darker road to drugs and crime. Eventually their past rears it's head, and they are presented with an opportunity for much delayed revenge. It doesn't all play out the way you may think though, and half the fun of this one is being surprised by geniunly lifelike plot turns and characters who behave as real humans would. Pitt is the highlight in a performance of quiet torment. Dustin Hoffman is fun as a washed up lawyer who gets involved, Minnie Driver shows up as a tough NYC gal who gets involved with Patric, Robert De Niro has a nice bit as a kindly priest who counsels the boys even until adulthood, and there's further supporting work from Jonathan Tucker, Bruno Kirby, Frank Medrano, Brad Renfro, Terry Kinney and more. Levinson usually takes on bright, chipper comedies and razor sharp political satire. With Sleepers he deviates into tragic dramatic material, and shows his versatility excellently. This one gets grim, no doubt about it. However, it's a story not only worth the telling, but worth the watching for us.

landrew-01296 This is, quite possibly, my favorite movie of all time. Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, Robert De Niro, the entire cast do a wondrous job in this film.The cinematography is superb, the acting is bar-none, the choice of actors is top-notch. If I were to make ONE complaint about this film is that it did not receive the attention I think it \, rightfully, deserved.I love the setting. Having once resided near New York City, the movie actually made me wistful for a hot dog (or slice of New York pizza!) and a large coke. It is sad to say, too, that Brad Renfro, who played Brad Pitt's character, Michael, as a young man, died of an overdose several years ago.