Sean Nelson's performance in this

This might be the greatest performance I have ever seem from a child actor.

For one, he's the protagonist which obviously is extremely tough. He had to depth and different sides of his character. The tough dealer who slaps the fiend and shows balls of steel by insisting that Corky give him $100. The child in him with his crush and conversation with the girl. At times, he even used his child-like "innocence" to get Esteban to drop his guard a bit, "you're gonna be real mad" in a sad, vulnerable voice.

The best scene was when the camera focuses on his reaction when Corky beats Jake and the other guy to death. You see his reaction and he's troubled with what is going on, but has to hold it in.

Too bad he hasn't done all that much since then. I liked The Wood, but haven't seen him in anything else other than the occasional appearance on a TV show.