I didn't even know that going in either..

Jolie turned in a very strong performance. A little overboard at times, but generally it was pretty raw. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets a nod. In truth, there wasn't really any bad acting by any of the cast (that I can remember). (Did anybody else think the Judge looked a hell of a lot like John McCain?)

Lets talk about Eastwood the director for a minute. Say what you will about him, but there is no doubt that he knows how to create a powerful scene. I had some problems with this movie, but I think they stemmed more from me having a hard time buying into the plot at the beginning (even if its a true story) then with any issue with the directing. I was honestly taken by surprise with the potent flashes of graphic violence, and I was struck by the image when, during the boy's first confession, there was a quick pan to the cigarette in the cops hand with a 3 inch ash, which showed you that the he was reacting to the story exactly how the viewer was.

It was certainly a movie that made me frustrated while I was watching it. My girlfriend said she was frustrated by what Jolie's character was going through, but I wasn't sure if I was frustrated by that or the fact that I kind of felt my intelligence was insulted by expecting me to buy into the plot that I found to kind of unbelievable. I'd give it a something in the "B"/"B-" range.

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