This is blockbuster-as-art, A-list stars in a heavily male story told with a startling amount of sophistication and ingenuity. Every scene looks breathtaking--directed, lit, performed, edited and scored to perfection. And the period is suggested without the usual overt flashiness; shadowy colours and dark weather beautifully evoke the Great Depression. While the story itself is told in subtle shades of understatement that let the audience uncover layers of meaning. And there's a lot going on in here, especially in the complicated father-son relationships, with ideas and truths delicately revealed in the acting and filmmaking. It's no surprise that the cast is astonishingly good, giving each scene extra emotional punch and helping us identify with a bunch of people who are, essentially, vicious thugs. The newcomer Hoechlin is the standout, capturing his role with a sophistication that hints at great things to come. If there's any complaint, it's that the whole film is almost too perfect. A few moments of offhanded humour are like a blast of fresh air into the otherwise sombre proceedings. There's also a general thinness to the plot itself that's only made up for in the richly textured themes and relationships, as well as the virtuoso filmmaking. Fortunately there's more than enough of that.