The United States of Leland

I dont know if its nave to feel this way, but it would be great if, over the course of watching the film, peoples feelings about Leland evolve. While the audience may not come to forgive Leland for his crime, it is Hoges hope that they will walk away with at least a better understanding of the tragedyand the vulnerability of youth. ... Full Review

But it is safe to assume that Leland is somewhat alienated from both his parents. ´Why´ is the operative word here since this movie spends the better of its time trying to come up with a competent answer to why a crime was committed without having one to begin with. ... Full Review

The film's best scenes take place in the prison library, as Pearl grills Leland.....Hoge carefully undermines Pearl from the start....The United States of Leland hooks the audience with the promise of seeing this frail, sweet boy turn vicious thug by film's end.....In a film that insists on the ingenuous purity of its murderous protagonist, these moments are enormously suggestive....In the film's smartest touch, Leland understands this well before Pearl himself does..... ... Full Review

The film gives the viewer a worry....Gosling made it plausible....He was weird, listened to the wrong music, fell in with that bad crowd.... ... Full Review

The United States of Leland is an admirable first film from Matt Hoge.....that's troubling in such a dramatic film.....The United States of Leland is a highly dramatic film that ultimately collapses under its own weight.....the cast delivers solid, rich performances.....The performances are good all around..... ... Full Review

Leland had always been polite to everyone and kind and gentle with the boy, volunteering to walk him home from school. Leland (Ryan Gosling) seems like a reasonably pleasant and easy-going kid. ... Full Review

In his very brief appearance Kevin Spacey is, as usual, an exciting actor--and he gives The United States of Leland at least a few lively moments. But Pearl starts feeling a bit guilty about leading the kid on, and then Leland begins to question his teacher's morality, specifically his promiscuous sexual behavior. ... Full Review

Stylistically, the film looks reasonably good. Matthew Ryan Hoge's The United States of Leland is a masterpiece of the modern made for TV movie. The problem is that the film never completely gels. ... Full Review

But the finished film, while competently acted and staged, has missed the high mark Spacey set for it. The story is seen largely from the point of view of a teacher in the juvenile center where Leland is detained (Don Cheadle), who -- partly because Leland's father (Spacey) is a famous novelist -- decides to secretly write a book about the case. ... Full Review

The potentially poignant moments are replaced with forced melodrama, and the real depths of US of L are out of the moviegoer's reach....Hoge's all-star cast only prop up his weak movie with their big names.... ... Full Review