Great film ...

I think it's the best film I've ever seen at illustrating what it means to be truly alone and depressed, capturing the essence of the idea that no matter what you do or where you go you can never run away from yourself. The world is full of depressed people who think that by moving to a new town (or state, country, etc.) or taking up a new job (or hobby, relationship, etc.) they can make a fresh start free of the problems that have plagued them throughout their lives, but no matter what they do or where they go they are always the same person; they always bring themselves to their new environments. This film captures that beautifully, I think.

As far as on the surface what makes it a great film? The cinematography is gorgeous, the acting (particularly by Nicholson in one of his greatest performances) is wonderful and the scenario is compelling and relatable (in principle if not in the specifics of assuming the identity of a dead gun runner).

i think you should keep your mind closed, the movie is bad, i has a great existentialist scene with great camera work, but that's not enough to make this boring depressing bad acting movie, the worst ever by schnider, any good. i can lead you to much more beautiful great scenes in even worst movies. may be the second good thing about this movie, is that it might convinced kubric to hire jack for the shining.