To be really powerful or tragic they need to be a lot less hackneyed and directed with more inspiration than this merely adequate effort.

Head-swiveling directorial debut of Lili Fini Zanuck lays out a tough masculine scenario [based on Kim Wozencraft's book] in a way that is always emotionally riveting.

Leigh is effective as always, but has little to chew on; Patric has even less.

This isn’t an action film but a harrowing, tense drama where sudden death hangs over every drug deal and the so-called rules no longer exist.