I can't understand the acclaim this has received. I wanted to like this. It has a stellar cast. I just couldn't find anything to like about this movie besides the performances. I don't feel like the script was very good at all. This movie wanted to be a lot of things (mostly a Coen Brother's movie): a commentary on the red states, racism, guilt, revenge, violence in America, etc. I guess I can't fault the writer for wanted to achieve this kind of discourse. It's hard to really make something with depth and meaning. I can see why people wanted to like this, wanted to see these themes addressed and wanted to root for a picture with such talented performers. That's life though: sometimes we just fail. This movie failed.