The encounter between these two men is gripping as their experiences, failures and bitternesses are flung like grenades at each other, bringing up issues of age, race, sexual proclivities, marital collapse and ruthless ambition. And of course the marvellous Hackman and Freeman make the film work, peeling back layers of defences as all their sordid little secrets come out. It's fairly mesmerising stuff, unafraid to touch on some very difficult subjects and directed with perhaps a bit too much flair by Hopkins. Its use of flashbacks is very Usual Suspects-like, and quite clever, even though we know there will be a few requisite Big Twists at the end (and, surprise, there are!). And there's something small and unambitious about the film that keeps it from being fully satisfying. Despite the crackling script and fine central performances, it just never gets under the surface of the stagey set-up to make things quite meaningful or resonant enough.

stuart johnstone, net: "I've just sat and watched this film with husband and two teenage daughters and none of us can come up with a good explanation for the ending. However, apart from the ending, we were not only very impressed with the acting but totally engrossed in picking up clues and discussing possibilities - lots of pressing the pause button so we could try out an idea. It's a long time since the four of us watched anything so avidly together. We're still trying to work out why Hackman confessed. Please donate suggestions. As the above viewer says, all the film reviewers fail to discuss the ending at all." (13.Feb.05)