The problems start with Levinson's script, which overemploys Patric's florid narration to tell you what you're about to see, what it means and how you should feel about it.

''Sleepers'' has become a big Hollywood movie with a slick, shrewd manner that perfectly mirrors Mr. Carcaterra's writing style.

It is all legally preposterous. But Levinson is a slick craftsman, his actors are insinuatingly real, and cinematographer Michael Ballhaus casts a disarmingly believable light on these proceedings.

A brutal and emotionally powerful drama elevated by an exceptional cast.