I'm surprised to be the first person reviewing this commentary, as I felt this film was the type that made you want to listen to a commentary, see all the dvd extras, to better understand what you just watched. (Actually the 6 min doc on the disk by the writers does a decent job of that.)

It's a good commentary, not great, as it is rather subdued, with the director musing about all the little things in the film, far more than the large stuff.

He points out the numerous religious things going on in the background, and even some moments of CGI birds to make a fake background come to life. His comments about the actors are great (mentioning how he is sure Amanda Peet will be a big star soon, and praising Richard Jenkins who was soon to be a multiple Oscar nominee, and talks about the benefits of having a director like Sidney Lumet also play a small role in your film.)

(Also, there is a deleted scene with an unknown Bradley Cooper.)

What's very interesting is talking about the various ways the film could have been different. Talking about great scenes that ended up in the deleted scenes. Talking about ways some characters were initially imagined as, compared to how they ended up. He points out short cuts he almost made than was glad he did not. And how the found a lot more cross cutting during the editing process than was in the script.

A lot of talk about the acting. Pointing out what little moments some actors came up with on their own. How hard it is to have important characters who make 'late entrances' where we don't really see them until after an hour in. He points out a large number of interesting acting choices, not immediately obvious watching the film.

One sad note was that 9-11 happened after filming but before release, and he had at first taken out than put back in the twin towers. And how some of the real fireman in one scene likely died on 9-11.