Matthew Boddum

Films this good come along seldomly. Reminds me of how exhilarated I was when I saw Traffic 25 years ago. The first act is heaven with a revelation named Teyana Taylor. She is so good that you feel her spirit present in acts 2 and 3. Act 2 is an example of deft filmmaking with sequences that defy belief. Just when you think maybe Act 2 might be dragging, along comes act 3 and bam! Another treasure named Chase Infiniti is at the center of some of the most exciting filmmaking today. You cannot discuss this film, however, without raving about Sean Penn. A shoe-in for the Oscar, he turns in a mind-boggling performance that will be at the top of critics’ list this winter. It might be the performance of a lifetime and that’s on top of his record.