Nearly three decades after its release, Robert De Niro's film 'Sleepers' remains a topic of discussion. The movie, directed by Barry Levinson, stirred controversy and garnered mixed reviews upon its debut in 1996. Now, as the film is set to be re-released in 4K and Blu-Ray, Levinson is revisiting the backlash and questioning why it was deemed so controversial.
Director Barry Levinson Reflects on 'Sleepers' Controversy
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Levinson expressed bewilderment over the film's negative reception. He questioned why the film was caught in a cycle of debate over factual accuracy, emphasizing that it is a story. 'Why does film get caught in this cycle of whether something happened or didn't happen? It's a story. It wasn't the craziest, weirdest thing you've ever imagined,' he said. Levinson added that he never understood the noise surrounding the film at the time, which he felt detracted from its true essence. 'I never quite got that noise that was made at that time. It, in some ways, took away from what the piece was. It doesn't need to be authenticated in that regard for us to pay attention.'
Criticism Over Robert De Niro's Character
A significant point of contention was De Niro's portrayal of a priest who gives false testimony in court to help the protagonists. Critics argued that a priest would never lie in such a manner. Levinson countered that this criticism missed the film's broader narrative. 'It got caught up in whether or not a priest would ever lie on the stand. You can certainly have that, but that's not the point of the movie. It was a much broader piece than that,' he explained, noting that De Niro's character was a minor element in a larger story.
Plot of 'Sleepers'
The film follows four teenage boys from Hell's Kitchen whose lives are altered after a prank gone wrong. They accidentally cause a man's near-death and are sentenced to a reform school, where they endure brutal physical and sexual abuse from four guards over six to twelve months. Years later, as adults, two of the boys seek vengeance by killing one of their abusers, leading to a trial. The cast includes Robert De Niro, Kevin Bacon, Brad Renfro, Billy Crudup, Jonathan Tucker, Brad Pitt, Minnie Driver, Jason Patric, and Dustin Hoffman.
