It's hugely refreshing to watch a movie populated almost exclusively by character actors.
– Mary Brennan,
Film.com,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
Noirish thrillers live or die by their plot twists and dialogue... Unfortunately, the script by first-time filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson fails on both counts.
– Ruthe Stein,
San Francisco Chronicle,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
It is really little more than a small resonant mood piece whose hard-bitten characters are difficult to like. But within its self-imposed limitations, it accomplishes most of what it sets out to do.
– Stephen Holden,
New York Times,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
Has ... meaning and truth, not to mention scarred humanity.
– Bruce Westbrook,
Houston Chronicle,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
Anderson coaxes top-notch performances from the male leads and also from Gwyneth Paltrow.