Reform School Rules

The narrative follows traditional formulaic conventions; few surprises await. But just as the four young actors are outstanding at playing Michael, Shakes, Tommy, and John as children, so are the adults who play their grown-up counterparts. De Niro, Hoffman, and Gassman deliver rousing supporting performances, and Pitt, Patric, Crudup, and Eldard offer solid acting to match their hunk appeal. The hollow, haunted looks in these four men's normally cover-boy countenances make their pain almost palpable. Pitt offers further proof -- as if any were needed after his first-rate work in 12 Monkeys and Seven -- that talent and good looks are not mutually exclusive; Patric establishes legitimate leading-man credentials. Even the sporadically annoying Kevin Bacon comes through, filling in some of the holes in Nokes's personality left by Levinson's screenplay. Thanks to the efforts of the stellar ensemble cast, Sleepers delivers a rousing tale of friendship, loyalty, suffering, revenge, and redemption guaranteed to keep you awake.

Sleepers.
Written and directed by Barry Levinson; with Jason Patric, Brad Pitt, Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Kevin Bacon, Vittorio Gassman, Brad Renfro, Billy Crudup, Ron Eldard, Bruno Kirby, Joe Perrino, and Minnie Driver.