Although this film was written before the events of 9/11/2001, it was released during the era of President George W.The story is a classic, timeless, universal tale of attempted murder, love, emotion, seduction, and reconciliation.He loaded his gun with a hollow-pointed bullet and held the barrel against his head and in his mouth in a deadly game of Russian roulette - ready to pull the trigger.The American gothic, Biblical tale of greed, innocence, seduction, sin and corruption was adapted for the screen by famed writer-author James Agee (and Laughton, but without screen credit).