Sleepers, 1996

With an all-star cast consisting of Kevin Bacon, Brad Pitt, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Billy Crudup, Jason Patric, Minnie Driver and Brad Renfro(RIP), this film was sure to thrill. Sleepers is a movie about four boys growing up in Hell's Kitchen, summer 1967. After the boys almost kill a man with a hot dog wagon, they are sentenced to one year at Wilkinson Home for Boys. At the home, all four boys are beaten and raped by the guards.

Skip ahead...1981, two of the boys are arrested for murdering a man at a restaurant. The victim, Sean Nokes Kevin Bacon, one of the guards from the home. Brad Pitt plays Michael Sullivan, assisting New York district attorney that is assigned the case of finding his two childhood friends guilty of murder. Robert De Niro plays a priest (a role I'd never seen him play before, a bit of a stretch) that has always looked out for the group of boys. Although he cares for the boys, he must decide whether to say the right thing or do the right thing. Jason Patric narrates this film and can be arguably the main character as he tries pulling strings to help free his friends. Each character plays their roles with the movie. Lies and suspected betrayals are packed into this film.

This movie was based on a book written by Lorenzo Carcaterra. Although the book caused quite a scandal when it came out that it was not based on true events like author claimed, the film never disappoints. I enjoyed the fast paced story line. Director Barry Levinson wasted no time in getting to the point. The actors held each frame individually. The audience cares for each character, except the pedophile guards. I've never loved to hate Kevin Bacon so much.

5 out of 5 STARS