Carl Franklin

Despite my aversion to derivative, lazy, and improbable thrillers, I'd be lying if I said High Crimes had no pulp entertainment value.

Whether you're talking about an empire or a TV series, it doesn't get much bigger than Rome.

Succeeds in giving a vivid impression of the nature of this theater's combat, creating a venue for both powerful emotions and thoughtful consideration of provocative questions...

The material calls out for a more expressive cinematographic treatment. Had the film been less antiseptic and more bold in its visuals and the emotional depths of its performances, it could have been a classic; instead, it's a rather ordinary indie.