LIBRARY JOURNAL (STARRED) -- In the summer of 1988, vicious career criminalTeeg Lawless becomes infatuated with Jane, a mysterious con artist drawn to hisferocity, much to the chagrin of Teeg's 16-year-old son, Ricky. Unnerved atseeing his father embrace something like domesticity, Ricky becomes increasinglyreckless and erratic, alienating best friend Leo, a young thief who prideshimself on his overly cautious approach to criminal activity. Teeg enlists Leo'sfather to help him pull off a major heist he believes will provide him and Janewith a fresh start. But when Jane and Ricky form a bond, and a private detectiveobsessed with saving Jane from a life on the run arrives in town, all involvedare set on a collision course that can only end in tragedy. VERDICT Thepowerhouse creative team of Brubaker and Phillips (Pulp) combine elements ofnoir and coming-of-age stories in this psychologically and emotionally complexdrama about desperate men and women daring to strive for better lives in aviolent world where hope and love are dangerous liabilities.
