Perfectly written, perfectly cast, perfectly acted, this is one of the best works of cinematic art of all time. Each scene is artfully composed, the actors' performances are subtle, powerful and evoke far more than than their words alone convey. The tongue-in-cheek but so-serious performances are dead-on. I have seen this film at least a dozen times and never tire of it; in fact, I appreciate it more each time I see it. Its economy of dialog, composition, and plot is the soul of this wonderful piece. A fresh plot, the artful placement of the spare and haunting musical score, the stark cinematography, masterful directing and first-rate performances make this one a real winner!