Review: Gone Baby Gone (Grade: A+)
At first glance, a movie about child abduction might conjure up an image of a cheesy made for TV movie, but look closer and you will discover a film so surprisingly smart and well made you'll be talking about it long afterwards.
"Gone Baby Gone" is definitely a film that will keep you not only riveted to your seat but will shock and move you. Marking the directorial debut of Ben Affleck and starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris, this film puts to rest any doubts on whether or not Ben has talent. What it abundantly proves is that he has found his niche in life. Hell, he even co-wrote the screenplay!
Better known for his "Bennifer" period and tabloid headlines than his acting skills, Ben has exploded into the directors chair in such a confident way that other directors need to take some cues from him. I mean who would have thought the guy had it in him? Believe me when I say that if he only directs movies from this point on and NEVER acted again I would be a happy man.
The film is based on Dennis Lehane's (Mystic River) child-abduction novel. Just like "Mystic River," "Gone Baby Gone" is set in the old neighborhoods of Boston. The film centers around newbie private investigators Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck, Ben's younger brother, in his best performance to date) and Angie Genarro (Monaghan, showing that she is more than a pretty face), who not only work together but also live together. They are hired by the family of an abducted 4-year-old girl. The relatives reason that no one in the neighborhood wants to talk to the police if they know something, but they'll talk to a "neighborhood" guy they know and trust.
Working for the family, Patrick and Angie convince the chief of the Crimes Against Children department (Freeman, deliciously playing against type) to let them get some info from the detectives assigned to the case. Remy Bressant (Harris, an intense force of nature) and his partner, Nick Poole (John Ashton), reluctantly agree to meet and talk with them and they quickly find out that Patrick's street smarts could actually be an asset. This starts a chain reaction of events that eventually leads them back to the girls home. Nothing or nobody is what they seem and this makes for compelling drama.
Turns out the little girls mother played very convincingly by Amy Ryan, might have something to do with her own daughters abduction but not in the way you think. Ryan's performance is mesmerizing as she ferociously tears through her scenes with not only intensity but with realism. Her multi-layered performance is so strong that even that you know she will never win "Mother of the Year" honors you still feel sympathy for her. Her scenes with Oscar winners Harris and Freeman are flat out amazing and she proves that she can not only hold her own against such powerhouses but overshadow them as well.
Casey Affleck, who I've never been a fan of, proves that with the right direction, he can flat out act. He takes what could have been a one-dimensional character and turns it into multi-layered everyman with a conscience. Gone is the nasally voice and the whining man-child that he usually plays and in it's place comes a flawed yet real human character. He is that good. What a surprise! Ed Harris turns in another brilliant performance as a dedicated cop with underlining motives. He's always been a favorite with women but he gives a speech in this film that will win him female fans for life. All I can say is that after he delivered it, women in the theater actually cheered. Wow!
It is said that if you have great acting and a decent story then you can make an entertaining film. Given that logic, what if you have great acting, a great story AND great directing? Well, do the math. The acting in this film was spectacular in every way shape and form, the story was incredible and the directing was near perfect. I think I've made my point. Even the extras, who were real people in many instances, added much to the film by infusing it with a gritty realism that payed off huge. Much was made of Ben using the local people in the many bar and neighborhood scenes, but it worked and it gave a strong sense that you were actually part of this neighborhood.
Technically this movie couldn't have been made any better. Affleck who is no dummy in real life, wisely surrounded himself with established (and Oscar winning) people like cinematographer John Toll, and composer Harry Gregson-Williams who deftly bring this story to life. The trick to great camerawork and music is to move the story along and not get in the way and with these two consummate professionals at the top of their games this is exactly what happens.
I'm going to say it right here and now that come Oscar season this film will be nominated in a big way. My prediction is that this film will earn a best picture nom and Ben will get a nom for both directing and best screenplay as well as acting noms for Casey, Ed Harris and Amy Ryan. And if there is any justice it should also get best original score and cinematography.
Simply put, this stunning film is a shining example of brilliant filmmaking. It's an extremely well told story that deserves all the accolades it will get but it ultimately shows what people are really capable of, not only in the way the film unfolds onscreen but also behind the scenes.
Isn't it also about time that a film comes along that you actually want to talk about long after you see it? I urge everyone (especially mothers) to see this masterful film, you won't be disappointed, I promise.
Musings Grade: A+
-- Janaki Cedanna
Better known for his "Bennifer" period and tabloid headlines than his acting skills, Ben has exploded into the directors chair in such a confident way that other directors need to take some cues from him. I mean who would have thought the guy had it in him? Believe me when I say that if he only directs movies from this point on and NEVER acted again I would be a happy man.
The film is based on Dennis Lehane's (Mystic River) child-abduction novel. Just like "Mystic River," "Gone Baby Gone" is set in the old neighborhoods of Boston. The film centers around newbie private investigators Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck, Ben's younger brother, in his best performance to date) and Angie Genarro (Monaghan, showing that she is more than a pretty face), who not only work together but also live together. They are hired by the family of an abducted 4-year-old girl. The relatives reason that no one in the neighborhood wants to talk to the police if they know something, but they'll talk to a "neighborhood" guy they know and trust.
Working for the family, Patrick and Angie convince the chief of the Crimes Against Children department (Freeman, deliciously playing against type) to let them get some info from the detectives assigned to the case. Remy Bressant (Harris, an intense force of nature) and his partner, Nick Poole (John Ashton), reluctantly agree to meet and talk with them and they quickly find out that Patrick's street smarts could actually be an asset. This starts a chain reaction of events that eventually leads them back to the girls home. Nothing or nobody is what they seem and this makes for compelling drama.
Turns out the little girls mother played very convincingly by Amy Ryan, might have something to do with her own daughters abduction but not in the way you think. Ryan's performance is mesmerizing as she ferociously tears through her scenes with not only intensity but with realism. Her multi-layered performance is so strong that even that you know she will never win "Mother of the Year" honors you still feel sympathy for her. Her scenes with Oscar winners Harris and Freeman are flat out amazing and she proves that she can not only hold her own against such powerhouses but overshadow them as well.
Casey Affleck, who I've never been a fan of, proves that with the right direction, he can flat out act. He takes what could have been a one-dimensional character and turns it into multi-layered everyman with a conscience. Gone is the nasally voice and the whining man-child that he usually plays and in it's place comes a flawed yet real human character. He is that good. What a surprise! Ed Harris turns in another brilliant performance as a dedicated cop with underlining motives. He's always been a favorite with women but he gives a speech in this film that will win him female fans for life. All I can say is that after he delivered it, women in the theater actually cheered. Wow!
It is said that if you have great acting and a decent story then you can make an entertaining film. Given that logic, what if you have great acting, a great story AND great directing? Well, do the math. The acting in this film was spectacular in every way shape and form, the story was incredible and the directing was near perfect. I think I've made my point. Even the extras, who were real people in many instances, added much to the film by infusing it with a gritty realism that payed off huge. Much was made of Ben using the local people in the many bar and neighborhood scenes, but it worked and it gave a strong sense that you were actually part of this neighborhood.
Technically this movie couldn't have been made any better. Affleck who is no dummy in real life, wisely surrounded himself with established (and Oscar winning) people like cinematographer John Toll, and composer Harry Gregson-Williams who deftly bring this story to life. The trick to great camerawork and music is to move the story along and not get in the way and with these two consummate professionals at the top of their games this is exactly what happens.
I'm going to say it right here and now that come Oscar season this film will be nominated in a big way. My prediction is that this film will earn a best picture nom and Ben will get a nom for both directing and best screenplay as well as acting noms for Casey, Ed Harris and Amy Ryan. And if there is any justice it should also get best original score and cinematography.
Simply put, this stunning film is a shining example of brilliant filmmaking. It's an extremely well told story that deserves all the accolades it will get but it ultimately shows what people are really capable of, not only in the way the film unfolds onscreen but also behind the scenes.
Isn't it also about time that a film comes along that you actually want to talk about long after you see it? I urge everyone (especially mothers) to see this masterful film, you won't be disappointed, I promise.
Musings Grade: A+
-- Janaki Cedanna
1 comment:
sounds really good!!
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