Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
Two and a half stars (R)
Philip Seymour Hoffman

Sidney Lumet’s non-linear drama about a botched robbery involving two brothers (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke) was widely hailed as a return to form by the director of such films as Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Network and Prince of the City. Me, I thought it played like one of the ugly Quentin Tarantino knock-offs that came out in the wake of Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. Supporting players Marisa Tomei and Albert Finney offer nothing special. 125 minutes. DVD INFO: Includes a commentary track by Lumet, Hoffman and Hawke, plus a behind-the-scenes featurette. —EJO