On learning that Kevin Spacey appears in this film, some may panic; these days, his presence practically guarantees that what you are about to see will stink. But this is by no means as bad as, say, The Life of David Gale.
Spacey, who also co-produced, plays acidic author dad to troubled teen, Leland (Ryan Gosling), who has stabbed his ex-girlfriend's retarded brother to death. Waiting to be tried in a detention centre, Leland snags the attention of teacher/blocked writer, Pearl (Don Cheadle), and opens up about his past.
Nothing works quite as it should. Gosling, so blisteringly focused in The Believer, fails to convince in the central role. It doesn't help that he's given lots of obviously "wise" things to say.
First-time director/writer Matthew Ryan Hoge tries too hard. Overawed by the opportunity he's been given, he quietly blows it.
