If the year 2006 has taught us anything, it is that a big budget film featuring big name credible actors will not guarantee a good movie. Steve Zaillian's recent adaptation of All the King's Men is yet another in a long line of Oscar baiting movies that does not even come close to hitting the mark.

Set in the 1950's, the movie looks at the rise of Willie Stark (Sean Penn) a politician who tries to unearth corruption in the city of Louisiana. Running for Governor with the backing of Tiny Duffy (James Gandolfini), Stark finds out he is being used by Duffy and his constituents which leads to a revolt as he delivers fiery speeches across the state.

All of this is seen through the eyes of Jack Burden (Jude Law), a journalist from New Orleans who quits his job and agrees to work for Stark as a private investigator after Stark wins the election by a landslide at the be-hest of the rich who find his promises to the poor as a declaration of war.

As his new found power corrupts his once moral center, Stark continues to battle against the electric and oil companies whom he refuses to make any richer while his people go hungry, his detractors launching a crusade to impeach Stark including Burdens godfather Judge Irwin (Anthony Hopkins), which creates a crisis of conscience within Burden.

All the King's Men is a dull movie, mainly due to the fact that it is full of boring characters which are poorly written by writer/director Steven Zaillian and led by an underwhelming Jude Law. The script plods along aimlessly, any hint of dramatic tension or interesting plot points lost in a fog of thick southern accents.

Performance wise only two stand out from this star studded cast; the first and foremost being Sean Penn, who although a bit over the top with his arm flailing and jerky mannerisms, is never the less effective as the passionate Governor. The only major downside to his performance is the fact that he has to play second fiddle to the dour Law. If only Zaillian had given Penn more screen time than the end result would have been different.

Second is Anthony Hopkins, who much like Al Pacino and Jack Nicholson, has enough charisma and natural talent to see a thankless role through.

Pawel Edelman's cinematography is excellent, yet it (like the cast) is wasted by Zaillian's wandering direction, leaving the final product great to look at, but lacking substance and running way to long. A colossal disappointment especially considering the people involved.