Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

  • Starring: Gabriel Macht, Giovanni Ribisi, Luke Wilson
  • Summary: Chronicles Jack Harris, one of the pioneers of internet commerce, as he wrestles with his morals and struggles not to drown in a sea of conmen, mobsters, drug addicts, and pornstars.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. 75
    Luke Wilson, who has appeared in a long run of bad movies, seizes on his juiciest role since "The Royal Tenenbaums" here.
  2. 75
    Ribisi and Macht are sleaze incarnate. James Caan, as a conniving lawyer, and Rade Sherbedgia, as a Russian crime boss, are even more cootified. Best of all is Wilson, digging into his juiciest role in years and putting a human face on this mesmerizing morality tale, a journey into the toxic heart of the American dream.
  3. Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    75
    Think "Boogie Nights" meets "Casino," though it's not likely to make the lasting impression of either seminal film.
  4. 60
    Luke Wilson's terrific performance renders an uneasy hybrid of crime drama, comedy and ecommerce far more compelling than it otherwise would be.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Well, its just on of THOSE movies, simply cannot find a bad thing in it. Cast is perfect, acting accordingly superb, story interesting and intriguing, so 10/10 points is pretty clear sign of what i am talking. Great, great movie. Expand
  2. I had never heard of this movie, just saw it at Blockbuster and rented it, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie. This movie was engaging from the beginning to the end with good acting and a good story line. The fact that it was based on true events made it that much more interesting. Even though the story revolves around internet porn and its beginnings it is not a raunchy movie with a bunch of nudity (could be good or bad depending on your interests!). The plot was fascinating, seeing how easily it the idea evolved and how quickly dark elements took control. It was a very pleasant surprise, especially when you are taking a leap of faith at the video store on a movie you have never heard about! Expand
  3. An interesting movie that may or may not educate you about the early internet and porn industry. A movie that is satisfying and almost motivational as money is the main theme. Expand
  4. From the opening sequence, I knew I was in for a "Goodfellas"-styled drama with morals built into the plot and characters goin' down in order to learn their lessons. The movie didn't really disappoint in this regard, but I did find the portrayal of the narrator, a "fixer" for dubious businesses, somewhat strangely represented. In other words, this guy (played with staged nonchalance by Luke Wilson) was too good to be true, given the circumstances of his predicament. When the lead character in a drama filled with slime balls comes off smelling like a rose, then you know you're not getting the full story. And that was the main problem with this film: it is an ultra-sanitized, glamorizing reenactment of some truly ugly moments in the underworld of mobsters and drug addicts and porn. Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

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