With Robert De Niro and Edward Norton’s names resting comfortably atop the title of the film on the poster one would think that nothing could go wrong in Stone. Turns out choice acting doesn’t always make perfection.  Instead the film still manages to sink like a stone.

De Niro plays Jack Mabry, a parole officer who is soon to retire.  Before he can leave he has one last case to consider, that of a man named Stone who is in prison for his part in a horrible crime years ago.  In order to get out on parole early Stone must convince Mabry that he has come to the right side of the law while behind bars and will no longer be a danger when released back into the world.

The films main story line revolves around the manipulation and relationship of three key figures.  As the man who seems to hold the power in this battle, De Niro perches behind his desk, gavel in hand and at the ready to come crashing down to prevent Stone from getting out on early parole. [Read more...]