LIBRARY JOURNAL (STARRED) --In the summer of 1988, viciouscareer criminal Teeg Lawless becomes infatuated with Jane, a mysterious conartist drawn to his ferocity, much to the chagrin of Teeg's 16-year-old son,Ricky. Unnerved at seeing his father embrace something like domesticity, Rickybecomes increasingly reckless and erratic, alienating best friend Leo, a youngthief who prides himself on his overly cautious approach to criminal activity.Teeg enlists Leo's father to help him pull off a major heist he believes willprovide him and Jane with a fresh start. But when Jane and Ricky form a bond,and a private detective obsessed with saving Jane from a life on the run arrivesin town, all involved are set on a collision course that can only end intragedy.VERDICT The powerhouse creative team ofBrubaker and Phillips (Pulp) combine elements of noir and coming-of-agestories in this psychologically and emotionally complex drama about desperatemen and women daring to strive for better lives in a violent world where hopeand love are dangerous liabilities.
