This is a pure Pacino tour-de-force, as he shows us Eli on the knife edge of success and oblivion, teetering over the brink and yet able to draw on deep resources of intellect and resilience that no one quite realises he has. It's a meaty performance, and we never get tired of watching him for a second. Meanwhile, the people around him are just as interesting: Basinger shines in a rare intelligent role; Leoni is energetic and rather frightening; and as the three power-mad goers, O'Neal, Schiff and Nunn are terrifically entertaining, especially when they get together at the end. While the film is perhaps a bit too talky, it's so fiendishly insightful that it keeps us hooked--it uses desperation as black comedy to make a sharp jab as New York's power elite. The only complaint is that the plot ultimately tries to take over the character drama with twists, turns and some rather pointed preachiness. But at least it's fiercely smart about it. And Algrant's final shot is gorgeous.