The Novel on Which This Flick Is Based

is actually good.

Don Winslow. Minimalist. Funny. Hollywood adapts his books the way it adapted Stephen King's till the "Stand by Me" guys got it right. Lousy.

It's about character. Detail. Perspective. Insight. Real-life experience. And real life experience.

Read "The Power of the Dog." You're in for a treat.

Then read "California Fire and Life."

Or vice versa.

"The Winter of Frankie Machine," coming to a theater near you, starring De Niro, supposedly. We'll see.