The violence is chilling but the rest of the movie left me cold.

I was one of those people who loved the film 'Crash' even before it won the Oscars. I watched it several times, raved about it to everyone I know and staunchly defended it from critics who claimed that the plot was too convenient or contrived. (I like to think of it more as a metaphor.) So when 'Crash' co-writer and co-producer Bobby Moresco premiered his directorial debut '10th & Wolf,' I grabbed the chance to sit there with my popcorn and drink, eager to get lost in the telling of a good story and the nitty-gritty of what makes us so endearingly and obnoxiously human.

It didn't happen. Thirty minutes into the film, I was still waiting for a hook that could reel me in. When the credits finally rolled, I was unmoved and disappointed.

Let's start with the premise. '10th and Wolf' is supposedly inspired by true-to-life accounts of FBI Special Agent Joseph D. Pistone, otherwise known as 'Donnie Brasco.' It tells the story of Marine Sgt. Tommy Santoro (James Marsden), who was forced to go back to his Philadelphia home to face the mobster life he tried to run away from to save his brash cousin Joey (Giovanni Ribisi) and younger brother Vincent (Brad Renfro) from the wrath of the Feds. Pussyfooting on mafia rhetoric, the film instead attempts to focus on the struggles of the three young men who, burdened by the sins of their fathers and the misery of their neighborhood, just wanted to find something good to believe in, whether it be loyalty, family or patriotism. Of course, they often came up empty- and (in this case) bloody-handed. A promising plot, but the script, co-written by Bobby Moresco and Allan Steele, appears rushed and shallow, yielding characters as complex as hard boiled eggs.

"10th & Wolf" writer and director Bobby Moresco with producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis at the film's screening at the Fine Arts Theatre on September 13, 2006 in Los Angeles, California.

Which leads us to the cast. One of the reasons why I flipped over 'Crash' is that all of its main actors gave me goosebumps. Their portrayal and delivery were so stellar that it rendered any of the film's perceived weaknesses irrelevant. In '10th and Wolf,' however, the acting was largely unremarkable. Granted, there were a few searing moments from Ribisi, who (surprise, surprise!) plays an off-kilter, hangdog character driven to occasional hysterics (I'd love to one day see this talented guy in an atypical role that can really showcase his acting mettle). Tommy Lee's one-liners as spaced-out gangster Jimmy Tats did earn laughs from the crowd. But the film's highlight came from Val Kilmer, who, as a hammered bar patron who lost his son in a pointless war, was funny, profound and poignant all at the same time. Too bad his scene was shorter than the time it took for me to chew a handful of popcorn. As for the rest of the main cast, which includes Jimmy Marsden, Brad Renfro, Piper Perabo, Dennis Hopper, Lesley Ann Warren and Brian Dennehy, well...their acting was sufficient but sadly not strong enough to lift the film out of mediocrity.

Dennis Hopper, who graces the screen briefly in his role as mob boss Matello, shares a tender moment with wife Victoria Duffy on the red carpet.

So. Was there anything about the film worth watching on the big screen? To be fair, yes, but I could finger count them with one hand in my pocket. The violence was stark and unflinching, which did put me at the edge of my seat. There were several times when the film hovered close to an emotional truth (though it never really hit the mark). Other than that, though, I would really rather pocket my money and add the film to my Netflix queue. At least I can watch it in my pajamas.

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