I am extremely skeptical that many who rate such movies ever actually saw the movie.
There are legitimate things to criticize about this movie, one or two of the actors especially (the actors were not professionals but good enough -- this is a Warner Brothers movie and is certainly up to par with their other movies -- cop movies particularly) but none of the legitimate criticisms have actually been discussed or pointed out in the negative reviews or discussion boards.
This is not a "Bible thumper" movie as some have accused. No plan of salvation spiel is espoused. The prayer scenes were fairly typical of when a congregation or family prays) For the uninitiated, this movie is about an individual's racism and old grudges and how it affects others around him -- and the burn out of several individuals who question life's meaning and their own purpose amid life which they seem to have little control over.
I think many of us have an individual in their life, job, or family like this and can therefore relate to this experience -- someone whose bitterness over a painful old grudge or circumstance has consumed their life and crushed the happiness, dreams, etc. of those close to him.
The sequence of events is not a 'sappy' conclusion but a downright believable series of events that could happen to real people who are discouraged and desperate for answers. But that answer, that miracle, does not come without a price to the one who offers it.
All in all this is a fairly upbeat, positive movie. Though the racist cop seems to epitomize his environment of despair and gloom and it has affected those around him and this leads him to the direst of circumstances.
Having seen circumstances work out this way, I cannot understand how this would be perceived by anyone as unrealistic or sappy. It's a component of hard reality. -- the fact that it resembles reality is maybe not suitable for those who like escapist movies.
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