Rented it this weekend and I enjoyed it. I didn't think it was too long (though given the story I can see how some might.) Also, I thought and have seen the film clocking in at 2 hrs and 38 minutes but I thought my Netflix rental copy said 2hrs and 7 minutes. So, was there some editing done for the DVD release? DDL played his character extremely well, I was drawn in. The speech, mannerisms etc... just plaining well acted and not over the took, you see a real man of his own reason, as dark and as hard as the nature of his work. Masterful.
The film was good but not great, maybe the sytle and the subject matter don't allow for full connection. The character study dominates the film but given the stark and/or guarded nature of the character, though complex, I felt or gained no further understanding of him by the films end except he is a S.O.B. through and through, and his manner runs as deep and the oil he covets. Still trying to wrap my mind around it, top tier in many ways, especially when one zero's in on the art of movie making.
The first pitch by DDL sets the scene and is the crust for me. I kept craving more of that but it doesn't come in bunches. The film does have a haunting and plainspeak intoxication, aided by the dark and grave soundtrack. You want from it sometimes something that it's not appropriate to give and stay true to itself...thus you must relent to the film (as you should always do when needed.)
Highly recommeded, it will stand out in relief among most other films today. I should have seen this in the theater.
