karlmardson Barry Levinson's Sleepers is a very good legal- crime dramatic feature film starring some great actors who get a change to truly shine through. The premise is that a group of 4 boys are sent to a detention center after committing a crime. Over there they are abused routinely until being let go. Deciding not to go vocal with their abuse, the boys go separate ways. Fast forward a decade and some and two of them kill one of the detention center guard after encountering him in a bar. They are convicted but with the help of the other two friends who are lawyers they are freed. The actors from Brad Pitt, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Kevin bacon all give great performances in this Barry Levinson film

leplatypus this is not my joke because it's told in the movie: it's true that Minnie is the welcomed feminine guest because the movie is above all a matter of boys problem with a long name of famous male actors… but it's like in sports: best team is not the best players: here the story about male bonding in a neighborhood bores me and in addition, the movie is rather dark, like the poster: winter, subway, courtroom and night visits... Anyway Minnie achieves to be on the spotlight with her curly hairs and cool attitude: it's because she was not a babe that she was essential and that she missed today...

NateWatchesCoolMovies Barry Levinson's Sleepers is a deliberately paced, downbeat look at revenge, and is one of the most brilliant yet seemingly overlooked dramas of the 90's. Part of it could have been marketing; The cover suggests blistering violence, confrontation and courtroom intrigue. While there are such moments within the narrative, they live to serve the story, which Levinson and his dream cast are doggedly intent on telling. It's a sombre affair to be sure, slow and methodical as well, but never to be confused with boring. It's just such a great story, one that unfolds exactly as it needs to. It starts in the 1950's, where four young rapscallions run wild on the streets of Manhatten. It kicks the story off with a sort of urban Stand By Me vibe, and if you thought that film went to some heavy placed, stick around through Sleepers. When an innocent prank ends in tragedy, the four are sent to an austere children's correctional facility, where they run afoul of some sadistic and abusive guards, led by Kevin Bacon, who is scummier than scum itself. They endure months of ritual abuse at the hands of these sickos, until their eventual release. Life goes on, as it must, the four boys grow up and follow very different paths from one another. Michael (Brad Pitt) becomes an esteemed lawyer. Shakes (Jason Patric) lives a quiet life, while Tommy (Billy Crudup, wonderfully cast against type) and John (Ron Eldard) take a darker road to drugs and crime. Eventually their past rears it's head, and they are presented with an opportunity for much delayed revenge. It doesn't all play out the way you may think though, and half the fun of this one is being surprised by geniunly lifelike plot turns and characters who behave as real humans would. Pitt is the highlight in a performance of quiet torment. Dustin Hoffman is fun as a washed up lawyer who gets involved, Minnie Driver shows up as a tough NYC gal who gets involved with Patric, Robert De Niro has a nice bit as a kindly priest who counsels the boys even until adulthood, and there's further supporting work from Jonathan Tucker, Bruno Kirby, Frank Medrano, Brad Renfro, Terry Kinney and more. Levinson usually takes on bright, chipper comedies and razor sharp political satire. With Sleepers he deviates into tragic dramatic material, and shows his versatility excellently. This one gets grim, no doubt about it. However, it's a story not only worth the telling, but worth the watching for us.

akashmanutd I am giving this a 10. First thing first- I watched it in 2016. 20 years after it came out.And as i checked some facts about its origin, I found out that people questioned its "truthfulness" and cared far less of its content. That's sickening!The author of the book reveals of the personal sexual abuse he received at Boys Juvenile center.. would you do that if that REALLY didn't happen?Would any of us will say "I was raped even if I wasn't?" I think its more of a reverse...If someone is sexually assaulted, then there are chances that he might hide it out of shame or horror of reliving it... Thing is I don't question its truthfulness.And even it was faked, content is one that should be cared about.Kids are supposed to be "kept in line" at a Juvenile Center rather than forced upon or raped. It wet my eyes when I see kids being treated like that.About the performances, I think everybody performs superb especially Brad Pitt who is outstanding in the court(in order to lose the case).I also like the character of "Shakes" played by Jason Patric.And the character who draws me to watch any movie he is in-Robert DE Great Niro... superb as a gentleman as always. (I always wonder how many "flop" movies this legend has played in?-- - 1,2 or none... I don't think there is any).I recommend this movie. It asked me to write a First ever IMDb review.