A senseless shooting spree in a small town California diner leaves many dead and the survivors’ lives in disarray. How they each cope with their emotional response to the ordeal is the central theme of this film. Excellent acting by Dakota Fanning, whose father’s death turns her attention to God and faith. Forest Whitaker has perhaps the best role as he discovers he is the “luckiest man alive”… or is he? Kate Beckinsale as the waitress/single mother, Kate Hudson as Whitaker’s daughter, and Guy Pearce as the doctor in the middle of it all turn in fine performances, too. It’s a dark cinematic journey, well worth making.

This is one of those movies that touches you deeply. To experience the pain and uncertainty of life and death. To wonder why you survived when others didn’t. It’s dark. It was amazing. Well written, well acted. This is the type of movie that should win awards.