Gone Baby Gone …To The Oscars!
First off, let me just say that I am so glad I am no “professional” movie critic because quite frankly, after reading some of the reviews that are out there, I’m not sure if we all saw the same film. There were some harsh reviews (Hollywood.com and Variety.com to name a couple) and there were some fantastic reviews (even going so far as to mention the possible Oscar nominations deriving from this film). Before you click the links above, I’d suggest you read these in order - Firstshowing.net and CNN.com. I completely and whole-heartedly agree with Firstshowing.net’s take on the movie and if you read only one review, read theirs…outside of mine, of course.
Set in the heart of the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester, Massachusetts, Gone Baby Gone takes the viewer to the seedy side of life where the neighborhoods are saturated with families just struggling to get by. Some do a little “dirty” work to make it happen. One mother in particular has it real rough. She’s a borderline alcoholic and uncontrollable drug addict with a 4 year-old daughter, Amanda, who goes missing. Before you know it the neighborhood is littered with the likes of the local and national media, the cops, and of course, all those nosy neighbors, some who truly care about the little girl and… well….those who just want their fifteen minutes of fame.
Enter Missing Persons Private Investigator, Patrick Kenzie (played by Casey Affleck) and his partner-girlfriend Angela Gennaro (played by Michelle Monaghan of Mission Impossible 3 fame). Little Amanda’s aunt, Bea (played by Amy Madigan), together with her Uncle Lionel, hire Patrick and Angela to help find the young girl. Hesitant at first, the two agree to assist in the case. The story then goes to take so many twists and turns that just when you think it’s your typical missing person’s movie and it’s almost over, it comes out of a tunnel to an even bigger mess, one that surrounds itself in some stunning revelations and one that in the end leaves you wondering what you would do if you were in the same situation. And I’ll leave it at that.
This movie is so damn brilliant that I don’t know where to begin dissecting it’s brilliance. No question it all starts with the script. If a movie doesn’t have a superbly written script, it can’t take you for a ride. This movie has one. Co-written by Ben Affleck, it is very similar to the scripting of Good Will Hunting (also co-written by Affleck) in that the language and quips come from the heart of the land in which it is written. This script does not disappoint. Mix in the actors that have to play their roles, the directors that direct them, and the photography that captures it all, and you have the makings of one hell of a theatrical feast.
Casey Affleck plays his part with such believability that you are taken in by his portrayal of the conflicting Patrick. Ed Harris as the cop that he partners with and Morgan Freeman as the Captain who puts them together are equally brilliant. In my humble opinion, Affleck and Harris both deserve Oscar nods.
Gone is directed by Casey’s big brother, Ben Affleck. It’s his directorial debut and it’s a stunner. Truly. As a writer, we know the guy is talented. He received an Oscar in 1998 for the smash hit movie (also filmed in Boston), Good Will Hunting, in which he also co-starred. As I mentioned previously, Ben co-wrote Gone too. Between the script and the direction, each deserve Oscar nods as well.
Gone Baby Gone is in one word - EXCELLENT. This movie should no doubt be on your list of must sees and it should no doubt be nominated in various categories for an Oscar this year too. Go see it. It’s worth the $9.00 admission price…and I don’t say that very often.
See YOU at the Movies,
Lisa
(Image courtesy of: http://media.movies.ign.com/media/479/479122/img_4719491.html)
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very cool review. I had heard good things about the movie. I personally am not a Ben Afflek fan-love Matt Damon-but I heard his little bro is amazing and he does a good job directing. This is on my list to see…maybe next weekend. At first I thought I would have a hard time watching a movie about a child missing but it sounds like there is much more to it. Thanks for the insight