The critics got this one flat out WRONG.

Nearly all the professional critics panned this film, saying how over-the-top violent it is from start to finish (not true; there is violence but not throughout), how convoluted the story is (it's very easy to follow - you'd have to be an idiot not to be able to understand what's going on), how bad the acting is (an outright lie), and how gross the sex scenes between Helen Mirren and Cuba Gooding Jr are (they worked for me). Maybe in a few years or so, more people will discover this movie for themselves and find out how really good it actually is.

The film has a palpable doomed sort of atmosphere, which serves the project brilliantly, since all the major characters are seriously compromised in one way or another. This is a dark story, brought to life magnificently by everyone concerned. Helen Mirren brings the full brunt of her amazing ability to tap into the humanity of any character she portrays, Cuba Gooding Jr is perfect in a role that finally allows him to display at least some of his depth, Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines as always, Dorff comes through as he always does; even Macy Gray is good in this movie and I am not a fan.

The problem, I think, is that the critics were comparing this to other movies, specifically Quentin Tarantino's, and this is completely unfair. Shadowboxer creates its own reality, in which it functions very convincingly for the duration of the experience. I suggest you get a copy of the DVD, as I did, and discover it for yourself.