Gone Baby Gone / Dustin Rowles
Though I’ve never been particularly fond of his movies post Good Will Hunting, as a personality or movie star, I’ve always considered Ben Affleck to be one of the good guys, someone like Michael J. Fox late in his movie career, who I always found myself rooting for no matter how foul the product. Maybe it was my own self-delusion, but the downswing in Affleck’s career, I figured, had more to do with the machinations of the tabloid culture than it I did with his actual talent, though he clearly only sought advice from his checkbook when picking scripts. Still, there are few actors who are likable enough to be allowed to fail as many times as did Affleck, and that he was even allowed to take a standout role in last year’s otherwise mediocre Hollywoodland had to say something about the faith that someone, somewhere had in him. But more than anything, it’s Affleck’s keen self-awareness that I’ve always appreciated; he accepted his failures, he made light of them, and — over the past couple of years — he’s tried to make amends, which is considerably more commendable than the route, say, John Travolta took. Given a second chance at a career, Travolta — like Stallone after his Copland rebirth — set about to repeat the mistakes he made the first time around, soiling himself in cash at the expense of his own resurrected good will.
But Affleck, belying his donkey-party politics, has taken the bootstrap path; rather than live off the table scraps that Hollywood would no doubt feed him for the next decade until his Tarantino in shining armor came along, he’s eschewed indie welfare and has chosen to pick himself up, dust the J.Lo off his ass, and direct. Yet, instead of becoming yet another talentless actor-turned-director cliché (see, e.g., Brian Robbins, Dominick Dunne, David Schwimmer), many of whom do this out of simple vanity, Affleck has taken a modest, low-key approach, allowing the material to do the work for him and letting his cast (especially his brother Casey) make him look like, if not Scorsese or Eastwood, at least a director adept enough to echo their styles without copying them wholesale. There is no real Affleckian imprimatur on Gone Baby Gone (except maybe Casey’s), but — like a gambler who bets against his own team just to break a slump — the decision not to inject himself or a style of his own into the film may have actually been the wisest decision he’s made thus far in his career.
Though I, like Dan, was won over by the last Dennis Lehane adaptation, Eastwood’s Mystic River — in part because the intense mystery and, in part, because it was filmed in parts of Boston with which I was extremely familiar — I can see where the unrestrained acting might’ve been off-putting (I also felt that the last scene — an out-of-character MacBethy moment between Laura Linney and Sean Penn— nearly destroyed the entire film). But for those who might’ve loved Mystic River but for the operatic Oscar mugging, Gone Baby Gone is similarly riveting, downbeat, and — despite a slightly contrived conclusion — morally ambiguous enough to inspire envy even in rain clouds. And here, no one is trying — with decibels and spittle — to lodge their performance so deep into the Academy’s ear that it won’t forget them come Oscar time; Morgan Freeman, Michelle Monaghan, and Casey Affleck give commanding, controlled performances that quietly seep under your skin and bleed out in your perspiration as the film winds toward its somber conclusion. Ed Harris, who easily could’ve give-me-back-my-daughtered his performance is, instead, steely — the man can knock the air out of you with a cold stare. Casey, likewise, is simply remarkable; raspy and fast-talking, he delivers his lines with the patter of a Raymond Carver character, only inverted, aired-out, and saturated with calm and heaviness. If there is one unqualified success in Ben Affleck’s directorial debut, it’s in the way he has harnessed his own experience in front of the camera to extract breathtaking performances from his cast from behind it.
Ben Affleck also makes more of his Boston setting than did Eastwood, or even Scorsese in The Departed, by using it not just for local color, but to infuse the grit and grime into the story. It’s set in Dorchester, one of the ugliest and roughest neighborhood in Boston, and Affleck uses his backdrop in the same way David Simon uses similarly hardscrabble crack dens of Baltimore in “The Wire”: as a central character to the story. Each dilapidated structure carries with it a burden, a small piece of the narrative weighed down by the gravity of the neighborhood’s past, while each of its denizens — in their hollow expressions and their beat-down swagger — supply the city its makeup and wardrobe (and one thing is for certain: the paparazzi likely didn’t spend a lot of time following Affleck around during location shoots). While Eastwood may be the more capable director, Affleck schools his ass in terms of capturing working-class Boston, the people, and its ethos, in part because he actually took a page out of the David Simon playbook and used non-actor residents to, essentially, play themselves. And unlike Eastwood, Affleck’s depiction of the area goes beyond simply shooting the facades of multi-family housing units and the Boston skyline; Affleck treats Dorchester, warts and all, like the ugly child that it is. All the same, it’s hard not to fall in love with the neighborhood, which only makes it more heartbreaking when that ugliness rears up and bites your nose off.
(And for fans of “The Wire,” Omar (Michael Williams) shows up here in one scene, brilliantly cast as a cop, though it is “The Wire’s” Amy Ryan who is so unrecognizably good as the abducted girl’s mother that you’d have thought she was one of the locals Ben dug up).
The story itself doesn’t quite live up its setting or the acting performances, but part of that is due to the limitations of the adaptation; Gone Baby Gone is the fourth in Lehane’s Kenzie and Gennaro crime series, and the backstory of many of the characters was necessarily excised for the film, so we have little invested in the private dicks played by Casey Affleck and Michelle Monahan when a four-year-old girl is abducted. Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and his partner/girlfriend Angie Genarro (Monaghan) are brought in by the missing girl’s aunt (Amy Madigan), because the girl’s mother is a junkie “cunt.” They’re hired to “augment” the case, like “they did with JonBenet Ramsey,” after the police, led by deputy chief Jack Doyle (Morgan Freeman) and Detective Remy Bressant (Ed Harris), fail to come up with any leads. Kenzie — who is just another townie, only one with a certificate on his wall — has a leg up on the cops because he knows the relatives of the missing girl and the suspects. Skittish at first, he throws himself ankle-deep into the muck and finds that, beyond the abduction, the shit is piled neck high, so that when he’s eventually faced with two equally grim options, he doesn’t know whether to duck or cut off his own head.
I probably would’ve cut off my head rather than live in shit for the rest of my life, as Kenzie chooses to do, but no matter: In 114 minutes, Ben Affleck manages to atone for a decade worth of sins, which is no small feat if you’ve seen Daredevil or Jersey Girl. He may not win any statues for his efforts — there are a couple of lightweight scenes that expose the wetness behind his ears — but if the Academy isn’t bombarded with a slew of mentally-challenged characters and ugly serial killers between now and Christmas, Casey very well might. More importantly, however, Gone Baby Gone is a great fucking film and a movie that Ben Affleck, even if the awards elude him, ought to be pretty goddamn proud of.
Dustin Rowles is the publisher of Pajiba. He lives in Ithaca, with his wife and son. Please, leave a comment or send an email.
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Comments
Ben was da bomb in Phantoms yo.'
I've seen the promos for this thing and it looks highly watchable.
As for the backlash against him, it is 100% attributable to his hooking up with that fat-assed freak. (Although I didn't care to see him as Jack Ryan, a role that didn't fit Harrison Ford either btw, I don't think Daredevil was bad at all) Anyway, Jlo was the worst career decision he ever made.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at October 19, 2007 4:57 PM
wow great review -looking foward to it
Plus I have never had it so eloquently put why I like Ben Affleck
Posted by: Thaf at October 19, 2007 4:57 PM
I had read good stuff about this flick, but was waiting for the Pajiba stamp-of-approval. I've been on DVD only for the last couple of PhD years, but I've been to see Michael Clayton and I'm going to see this one, too.
Posted by: Louise at October 19, 2007 5:05 PM
It's nice to know my hometown boy did something good. I've heard good reviews from people who've seen it, and I'm glad to get the good review on here.
Posted by: Ariel at October 19, 2007 5:10 PM
Ben does come across as a guy I'd like to have a beer with, so I'm happy the movie is getting good reviews.
Posted by: Stella at October 19, 2007 5:15 PM
Up to this point I was only interrested in seeing this movie only because I've recently been to Boston (for the first time) and I've completely fallen in love with the city. I'm so happy to read that it will live up to my expectations for the scenery aspect.
Posted by: Agent Scully at October 19, 2007 5:30 PM
Go Casey! Talk about someone who merits some success, this kid combines a strong presence, a soft voice, and a natural manner, and that's uncommon. DR, the way you feel about Ryan Gosling is where I am with this Affleck kid; maybe the fam finally got the skill sets properly aligned.
And for fans of "The Wire," Omar (Michael Williams) shows up here in one scene, brilliantly cast as a cop
[*shiver*] Every time Omar shows up on "The Wire" I mutter for the hundredth or thousandth time, "This is the best fucking TV show ever." Some actors just bring it with the eyes and the stance, and he is that guy.
And, finally, Ed Harris. One of the best detective performances I have seen was his supporting role in Absolute Power, the otherwise-middling Clint Eastwood thriller. He was born to play a put-upon cop.
As depressing as this film sounds, I can't wait to see it. I still think Ben is a tool, but I understand the likeability thing. (B-Slim: Alec Baldwin will always be the Jack Ryan.)
Posted by: socalledonlycousins at October 19, 2007 5:32 PM
Ohh, Ben Affleck, seriously. I have never managed to adequately explain why I have such a soft spot for him; I think I'll be stealing your words from now on. That being said, Gone Baby Gone looks fantastic, and I can't wait to see it. Thanks for the great review.
Posted by: Telis at October 19, 2007 5:42 PM
As for the backlash against him, it is 100% attributable to his hooking up with that fat-assed freak.
Damn, how do you really feel about JLo, BSlim? I don't think I've ever heard her described that way. Not that I care much about her one way or the other, but last time I checked, Ben was an adult when he was involved with her, and no one forced him into the relationship. Some of the backlash may have been because he made shitty movie choices, and I'm saying that as someone who has always liked Ben. Sorry about the rant - it just bugs me when the women they're involved with are blamed for some actors' tabloid backlash or poor careers or whatever, like a man is being led by his ear or something or can't make his own decisions.
As for the movie, if I can't understand a goddamn thing Casey Affleck says, that's a problem for me (which, based on the trailer, it is).
Posted by: Daphne at October 19, 2007 5:57 PM
Because my boyfriend has owned a pizza shop in Dorchester for many years now (the cast and crew from Gone Baby Gone ordered from him), I guess I get excited when movies highlighting Boston come out.
Dustin nailed the description of Dorchester perfectly. As ugly as the neighborhood is, it's heartbreaking to see beautiful historical housing structures crumble due to apathy.
I've been waiting for this review all day and it didn't disappoint. I'm so happy Dorchester is part of the plot because the city's story is a story worth telling.
Posted by: Lex at October 19, 2007 5:59 PM
I'm not reading these comments because I've been dying to see this movie. Am SO PSYCHED that it got the Pajiba seal of approval.
Posted by: Samantha T at October 19, 2007 6:13 PM
Daphne: Yes, he made the adult decision of hooking up with a person who, at that moment, was NOT Jennifer Lopez, the one time semi-talented actress, but "J-Lo" a record company created "diva" with ample buttocks who was already garnering quite a wave of negative feedback for herself.
Let's just stipulate that it wasn't good for any of them.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at October 19, 2007 6:43 PM
I don't love Affleck, but I don't hate him, either. He always seemed like one of the better, more interesting actors out there. I wasn't inclined to see this movie before I read this, but maybe I will now.
As for hooking up with J Lo, eh. Don't care who he screws, it doesn't have anything to do with his work. Or shouldn't.
Posted by: LL at October 19, 2007 7:11 PM
Good to see Ben Affleck putting himself to better use, and Casey's always been a great highlight in the "Ocean's" movies but I'm glad he's got something a little meatier here.
And I don't have any thoughts on Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez's relationship specifically, I just believe it's hard for anyone to try and have a meaningful relationship with the full attention of the media and paparazzi on your every move/word/glance. I'm impressed that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have lasted as long as they have under those conditions, frankly.
Posted by: Rusty at October 19, 2007 7:25 PM
Am I the only one who LIKED Jersey Girl and Daredevil? Seriously? I just had a softspot for both flicks. Of course, nothing, ever, could make up for the crapfest that was 'Paycheck' and 'Gigli.' As for this movie, I've really been looking forward to it. There aren't a lot of movies coming out soon that I've wanted to see, but this is one.
Posted by: Dante at October 19, 2007 7:53 PM
"Ed Harris, who easily could've give-me-back-my-daughtered his performance is, instead, steely -- the man can knock the air out of you with a cold stare"
If Ed Harris gazed in my direction, he could easily turn me into stone...his blue eyes are piercing. i could have a love affair with those eyes.
In any case, onto the movie. I wanted so much for this movie to be fantastic. I've long nurtured a spot in my heart for Casey Affleck. He's that actor that I've always kept my eye on, hoping he would rise in the ranks and garner himself a splendid leading role. I'll see it just for him, and for Monaghan, of course. She's brilliant, and so much better than a Mission Impossible role.
I'm glad that Affleck's directorial debute can make amends for reckless mistakes in his career. He's just so damn likeable.
Posted by: citizen_cris at October 19, 2007 7:57 PM
As for the movie, if I can't understand a goddamn thing Casey Affleck says, that's a problem for me
Daphne: Here's a snippet:
"[murmur * inaudible] hot chick on Pajiba . . . [murmuring] Dannielle? Daphne . . . [murmuring] hands between knees [inaudible] deep in my soul [murmur murmur] rosy-breasted [inaudible] [murmuring] sonnets and flowering fields [inaudible] sweetest nectar [inaudible] latinareversehandshake.com [**] oh! god! [mutters to self] sweet relief [inaudible to crescendo] can't think of anything else!"
Maybe the sound was turned down in your theatre.
Posted by: socalledonlycousins at October 19, 2007 9:22 PM
I saw Casey Affleck plugging this on Letterman one night this week and the next morning on Regis, and it made me want to see it. But please, as cool as Morgan Freeman seems to be, can't movie people find ANYONE else to be in movies. He's in about every other movie made these days.
Posted by: memikeyounot at October 19, 2007 9:40 PM
Great review, Dustin. Ben has always had a special place in my heart, despite the haters. Your Michael J. Fox analogy is perfect
Posted by: Kevin Longrie at October 19, 2007 10:55 PM
Why all the hate for JLo, BSlim? Could it be cuz she don't wear 110lb with stringy hair, and her ribs sticking out. Maybe you are into that starvation look that seems to be all the rage with the cool kids.
Posted by: Pookie at October 19, 2007 11:40 PM
Dustin, I find it ironic that here we are brought together yet again by the Dunne family. I think you mean GRIFFIN Dunne who is actor-turned-director.....but you did spell Dominick correctly this time!
And, um did you mean TIM Robbins? Cause, Brian Robbins directed "Norbit" but his last acting gig was....uh, "Full House"
Posted by: Finn at October 20, 2007 12:39 AM
just got back from this...it was indeed a great film. and i positively hated mystic river with a fiery passion.
i kinda wanted to hate him for casting his little brother in his directorial debut (seems like a douchebag move), but i can't! they both knocked it out of the park. dammit affleck, you win this time.
socalled, you're so right about michael williams...i was so excited to see him on the big screen. omar is one of the top 5 tv characters of all time.
Posted by: vinniedelpino at October 20, 2007 12:57 AM
I've always had a love for the Affleck brothers, like many, willing to forgive Ben for a number of bad choices because i truly had/have faith in him as a substantial talent-i dont believe, like i many i know, that his fantastic performance in GWH alongside Matt, was some kind of flash in the pan.
But the Affleck i've always favoured was Casey, the reasoning being simple-he's the younger brother, and he can act his ASS off.
I'm a little sister (in fact the middle child of five) but the younger sister to a much more glamourous, 'hollywood' sister, one who wants to, and will, be a great success her self some day. For a few years as a kid i followed in her footsteps with the drama and the acting but never followed it through the way she has, but i was always aware of 'siblings' in the lime light, that they rarely got the attention they deserved or warranted because of the more succesful siblings.
This was no different with the Afflecks, especially in GWH, who some people seem to forget Casey is in, in a great, manic little performance of his own as one of the 'crew' that Will tools around with.
I've always thought he was just as, if not perhaps more talented than his big brother but until fairly recently was becoming resigned to the fact that 'hollywood' would never see this, would write him off as 'just some guys kid brother' as so often happens, and he would be relegated to few, okay-because-of-him films, or pet projects with his brother or close friends, who could fund the projects them selves and so hire any one they wanted.
But i cant even explain how glad i am to see that not only is he being cast in films receiving high commercial and critical attention and acclaim, but that he's Owning them left right and centre and finally get his hard earned dues as a performer.
Here's hoping that his rise continues, and that the other 'risky' talents out their finally start getting noticed as well cough*jeremyrenner*cough.
Posted by: Nadine at October 20, 2007 6:39 AM
I have always forgiven Ben's transgressions because he resembles my brother-in-law. They even have similar mannerisms. My BIL is a nice guy so I guess that's why I am always pulling for Ben--because despite his shiteous career/love decisions, he seems like a nice guy. (Save the clip from yesterday's "Love". That was just drunken creepiness.)
But didn't y'all SEE Daredevil? Really? That was a load of crap. Barbado I'm just slightly surprised by your admiration.
Posted by: wsapnin at October 20, 2007 11:10 AM
morally ambiguous enough to inspire envy even in rain clouds
So it's either because I'm hung-over, or just plain stupid, but what the hell does this mean?
Posted by: Sparker at October 20, 2007 3:04 PM
Good review! Looking forward to seeing this tomorrow actually. Though come on, Dorchester isn't one of the ugliest neighborhoods!! I lived in Savin Hill for two years and my husband was raised in Adams Corner. It has it's charm... ;-)
Posted by: Jenny at October 20, 2007 6:19 PM
But didn't y'all SEE Daredevil? Really? That was a load of crap. Barbado I'm just slightly surprised by your admiration.
Posted by: wsapnin at October 20, 2007 11:10 AM
_______________________________________________
Well, I wouldn't exactly call it admiration, it's just that, I don't know, let's just say that for ME it's one of those mediocre flicks that entertains at a basic level. However, I can certainly understand, and respect, those who scorn it. It could have been much more
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at October 20, 2007 6:34 PM
Aw, poor Dorchester. Although, when I tell my classmates I live in Dorchester, they look horrified and ask if I'm okay. Yes, I am, thank you, I live in the "good" part of Dorchester.
Well, I was going to avoid the movie because of my hatred of Mystic River, but this review + Dorchester is going to make me fork out the money now.
Posted by: messyhead at October 21, 2007 12:43 AM
Really, BSlim, what is up with your obsession with JLo's ass (you had to mention it in two of your posts), and what in god's name does the size of her ass have to do with her worth as a person?
Posted by: Lilly at October 21, 2007 2:58 PM
Hey I'm not mentioning anything that hasn't been used by her OWN marketing machine. As for her worth as a person, I think she's worth as much as any other ghettofied culture destroying "diva."
Make of that what you will.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at October 21, 2007 3:57 PM
socalled, I don't know if I should be turned on or blushing. I'm so conflicted.
Posted by: Daphne at October 21, 2007 6:05 PM
I really REALLY dislike Ben Affleck. I don't know why though- I'm sure crap movies have to do with it, but I don't dislike other crappy actors as much as I dislike him.
I kinda hold him responsible for the downward spiral of Alias, which I know is completely irrational and silly, but that show was my life!
And so, I don't think I will see this, even though I think Casey Affleck is fantastic.
Posted by: dene at October 21, 2007 6:26 PM
Right BSlim, you tell them. I mean who would want a healthy looking, beautiful, rich, highly successful woman. Maybe her ass intimidates you. Maybe you want the average looking 90lb blonde with her ribs poking out from under her skin. But then again you might be a woman.
Posted by: Pookie at October 21, 2007 8:22 PM
Pookie: Exactly, who wouldn't want that.
If the benchmark for success is mediocre music overpaid idiocy, shallowness and criminal associations then more power to you, friend.
I'm not intimidated by any ass, (or asshole) but I find it downright sad that all someone needs to get recognition and success in our current culture is to flaunt a fat one.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at October 21, 2007 9:20 PM
I was hoping this would be good as, like many others, I have a soft spot for Affleck that I can't really articulate.
And Ed Harris. He's been a bit quiet of late. Good to see him knocking them out of the park again, and I'd really like to see another directing gig from him too. If my mum had her way, he'd be my stepfather by now.
Posted by: Craig at October 22, 2007 4:12 AM
Whoa B-Slim, You need to get laid. What is biting you? You have an unhealthy obsession with JLo's ass. Are you pissed that Ben Aff boffed her and not you? If you do not like her movies and CDs do not see them or buy them.
And your detour into weirdville in the Lust, Caution comment section has some of us worried for your stability. I still cannot fathom your concern for the "investors" rather than the audience in that thread.
Posted by: rudy at October 22, 2007 7:12 AM
Saw this last night, and can't stop thinking about it. Spouse read the book, says the movie did a good job of it. Watching this in a Boston theater was fun, heard "Oh my gawd, there's Richie!", and folks naming the places they recognized (shout out for Mt Auburn Cemetary, where I've spend many hours walking, pushing my cranky baby's stroller).
Posted by: Dot Ave girl at October 22, 2007 1:34 PM
So lemme get this straight, I'm "insane" because I happen to think that dressing up RAPE as art is not worthy of praise (and that's exactly what they did in Lust Caution); and because I don't like J-Ho?
Okay, I can live with that.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at October 22, 2007 2:21 PM
Seems like a lot of lovin and hatin for Affleck and not enough talk from anyone who has actually seen the goddamn movie. I saw it this past weekend, being a California girl who went to college in Boston and was shocked by the "local flavor" I thought this movie did a brilliant job of using Dorchester as another cast member. Like someone said before I thought it kind of a douche thing to do to cast your little bro in your directorial debut, but Casey Affleck was stellar. The entire cast was well placed, I highly recommend seeing this film. My friends and I had a lengthy discussion about the ending, any movie that inspires healthy debate spells WIN in my book.
Posted by: Marie at October 22, 2007 6:40 PM
"Ed Harris, who easily could've give-me-back-my-daughtered his performance is, instead, steely -- the man can knock the air out of you with a cold stare."
Likewise my pants. Off of me, I mean.
Posted by: Loob at October 23, 2007 12:35 AM
B.S., Now playing the victim card? Who accused you of being "insane" (quotation marks yours)? Did you see the movie? Did you read the review? Still worried about the investors and not the audience? Dude, what's biting you?
Posted by: rudy at October 23, 2007 7:27 AM
I'm in touch with my feelings for Ben Affleck - it's Dogma & Chasing Amy.
Daredevil was destined to be a piece of crap unless you're a comic book junkie or whatever. And I've been meaning to see Jersey Girl, but it's on the B ... no make that D List, wherein if it's on TV or something & I happen to have the remote, I wouldn't change the channel.
Anyhoo, I'm so glad this is looking good for him & everyone else, but I gotta say: not interested in the movie at all. never saw Mystic River for the very same reason. My children are still to young for these kinds of stories, I guess. Too sensitive to violence against little girls to spend a Friday night pondering on the subject.
Now - show me some Crank (which I saw yesterday) and that's a different violence. Sidenote: Amy Smart just sucked - and I mean that in more than the obvious punny way. My boyfriend's a killer! Ugh.
Posted by: GinKirk at October 23, 2007 5:06 PM
Maybe I'm worried about studio policy vis a vi investor risk in this quarter?
Or, I might just be a HUUUUGE asshole.
:)
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at October 23, 2007 5:18 PM
With regard to the "bootstrap" comment in the review, it's a bit of BS. Someone still let Affleck direct a movie. Someone GAVE him the chance to do so. He just may have gotten lucky with decent source material and a great cast. "Boostrap" would involved bankrolling, developing, and producing the whole thing on his own - or starting with smaller films until he had the clout to make this one. Republicans love to talk "bootstrap" while blithely ignoring the advantages and breaks they were given via connections and/or money.
Also: Daredevil was HORRIBLE, JJ Abrams is solely responsible for the shit covered death spiral Alias became, and Ben was great in Chasing Amy but outshone by Damon in Dogma.
Posted by: hoorah at October 24, 2007 5:41 AM
I thought we already established that BarbadoSlim is a douche? It's his job, it's what he does. Let the man work.
Posted by: AM at October 24, 2007 2:07 PM
Saw the movie on sunday night as a reward for finishing a paper: a just reward, indeed. Casey Affleck was great. I was completely pulled into the moral debate...2nd best film I've seen so far this year in the theater.
Posted by: talia at October 24, 2007 11:27 PM
I saw this last night--have been so excited since I read this review because I'm a huge fan of the books. They are just delightfully entertaining. My only problem with the film was Angie--I thought they really toned her down a lot. She always serves as Patrick's conscience and moral sherpa, but she's also waaaay tougher and willing to pull out the guns and kick some ass than she was in the film. I thought MM gave an excellent performance and managed to infuse a thinly written character with some weight. My problem is more with the way the character was written.
I did, however, appreciate that she walked around in a hoodie and jeans the whole time, which is basically the uniform of Boston. If she had been dressed all cute and stylish I would have been fucking pissed.
Did anyone else find the Helene/Patrick interactions fucking hilarious? It was like a smartass competition. Which just made it more heartbreaking to see the ways their life choices had diverged after having similar beginnings. It's been a long time since I saw a movie that made me think about it this much afterwards--so Bravo, Whofflecks.
Posted by: Cara at October 25, 2007 9:42 AM
Finally you made sense Barbado, you are in fact a huge asshole :)
Also I love me some Casey Affleck, I've been in love eversince "Jerry".
Posted by: Gaby at October 27, 2007 4:29 PM
Great movie. I've been thinking about it since I saw it two days ago. I liked Mystic River, but this was much grittier, and the acting was great.
Posted by: grace at November 4, 2007 10:06 PM
Just caught this last night and DAMN.
Me like this movie lots.
Posted by: Stella at November 12, 2007 3:18 PM