Why Nicolas Cage would want to tackle such a thoroughly unconvincing melodrama as "Sonny" for his directorial debut is a head-scratcher. At first glance, the project may seem to be an actor's movie with gritty, angst-ridden scenes full of raw emotions set against a demimonde of corruption and despair. Boxoffice for this Gold Circle/Samuel Goldwyn Films release will get an initial boost from curiosity about Cage's first directing outing and possibly from its lurid story line.

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