Okay, you hear there's a dramatic film out starring Robert De Niro and Edward Norton about a prisoner, a parole officer, and the woman who comes between them. AND Norton's sporting corn rows for most of the film. That's gotta be a winner, right? Um, meh. I was a little disappointed.

Norton works a scratchy voice and the demeanor of a gang-banger but, unlike his stellar performance in American History X, I just couldn't buy him in this. And, I know it's my failing as an audience member, but, after decades of watching De Niro as the tough, taut, kill-ya-as-soon-as-look-at-ya kinda guy, I have a difficult time believing he's pushing pencils behind a desk.

But Milla Jovovich! Here's an actress who proves you don't have to look like a Victoria's Secret model to be sexy as all get out. She's adorable and childlike, she's sensual and womanly, she's crafty and conniving, she's innocent and dumb...who knows what she is, truly. But you can't wait to find out. I first fell in love with her in "The Fifth Element" with Bruce Willis, and, once again, she proves she can stand next to the biggest stars of our day and still deserve all the focus.

And kudos, too, to Frances Conroy (of Six Feet Under fame) as De Niro's long-suffering, ultra religious wife who's been crushed under the weight of her husband for too, too long.

The story is supposed to be about the face-off between these men, but all the spark belongs to the women. Is that enough to recommend it? Perhaps not, but it'll certainly be worth a look once it goes to video.