Gone Baby Gone & Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 1:20pm

Just saw GONE BABY GONE and BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD and really enjoyed both.

Maybe Ben Affleck has finally found his niche -- his work as director and co-writer of GONE BABY GONE is better than any of the acting work of his I've seen through the years. He has a real feel for creating mood and capturing setting. He smartly took advantage of his knowledge of Boston's many neighborhoods used it to give the film an authentic sense of atmosphere. And he manages to sustain tension for long stretches.

Mind you, the screenplay is way overstuffed with plot and has at least one twist too many, but I was willing to forgive that for the eventual palpable tone of moral ambiguity he managed to achieve (a superb ending). There's a terrific performance from Amy Ryan and some solid ones from Ben's brother Casey, Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris, all of which highlight a first rate directorial debut.

At the other end of the spectrum is Sidney Lumet capping off a long and distinguished directing career with BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD. Though I suppose I shouldn't use the phrase "capping off" for the 83 year old Lumet -- considering this is the most accomplished work he's done in decades, perhaps he has a lot more great work left in the tank. Lumet is aided here by a superb script from Kelly Masterson, who's written a domestic family melodrama/caper thriller that takes on the moral implications of a modern day Greek tragedy. The cast, made up largely of stage veterans -- Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney, Rosemary Harris, Brian F. O'Byrne, Marisa Tomei, Amy Ryan (again), Michael Shannon -- is uniformly excellent (Lumet has always been terrific with actors). Tense, heart-wrenching and mesmerizing throughout, it's easily one of the best films I've seen all year.

What did everyone else think of these two?

[Glebb]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 1:27pm

Haven't seen either Margo but it's sure nice to see you again!

"Isn't she wonderful? Isn't she marvelous? MARGO! da da da da."

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 5:24pm

In Gone Baby Gone, didn't you find some of the dialogue mumbled or hard to understand? The ending, was depressing to me.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 5:54pm

I pretty much agree with you completely about Gone Baby Gone...I was so impressed with Ben Affleck, definitely way better than any performance he's given. He should stick to directing. The beginning felt slow to me, and didn't quite grab me in, but after about the first 15-20 minutes it had me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't think there needed to be all that voice-over narration at the beginning and the middle of the movie, but other than that I had no major qualms. Way to go, Ben Affleck, who knew you had it in you!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 5:56pm

I didn't have any trouble understanding anyone (maybe living in Boston for a few years back in the 80s made me used to the accents). I can see being depressed by the endingm though I wasn't. It's a very provocative moral quandry -- what's right and wrong in that situation isn't black and white which is why I thought it was a great ending.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/29/07 at 4:50pm

Self-serving bump.

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/29/07 at 4:56pm

I am just thrilled that Amy Ryan is getting Oscar buzz. I remember sitting through Roundabout's Calirofnia Dreamin-like UNCLE VANYA a few years back and thinking, 'That girl who plays Sonya is F*CKING AWESOME!'

It's been a pleasure to watch her career take off.

[Wilhelmina]

Posted: 10/29/07 at 5:00pm

I saw an interview with Amy Ryan over the weekend, and she said the same thing you did Margo - that Affleck may have found his calling finally. She also gave him high praise as to thier working relationship together.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/29/07 at 5:04pm

I haven't seen them yet, but a friend of mine went to the premiere of Gone Baby Gone and raved about the film. From what I've heard, the low expectations of Ben's directorial debut has really worked in his favor. Let's hope he can keep up the good work.

I'm very curious about Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. I love most of Lumet's work through the early 80s, but wasn't thrilled with his later films.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/29/07 at 5:09pm

I love Amy Ryan and couldn't be more thrilled at how well her career is going at the moment. She was wonderful in that last Broadway revival of STREETCAR as well as Christopher Shinn's ON THE MOUNTAIN (with Allison Pill at Playwrights) and now she's about to do the Broadway production of Steppenwolf's AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (which friends who saw it Chicago say it should get her a Tony nod), in addition to (at least) three new movies: Gone Baby Gone (which should get her an Oscar nod), Before the Devil Knows You're Dead and Dan In Real Life.

GREAT for her!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/29/07 at 5:12pm

Mister Matt, I felt the same way about Lumet's recent films, but honestly this is far and away the best thing he's done since his last heyday in the 70s. He has a great screenplay to work with and the entire cast top to bottom (in even the smallest roles) turns in first rate performances. Definitely worth checking out when you have a chance.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/29/07 at 5:14pm

I've never liked Ben Affleck. Hopefully this is the first of many directorial ventures so I won't be subjecting to his acting again anytime soon.

[Kristie-K2]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 4:19pm

The reason why I saw Gone Baby Gone, along with my boyfriend, is because Margo recommended it....I love Margo's reviews.....Always very fair and honest...

Like the movie very much.....Both Amy Ryan and Ed Harris are possible Oscar Nominees.....

Looking forward to more reviews of good movies...

[LionessInWinter]

Posted: 11/2/07 at 6:43pm

I caught Before the Devil Knows You're Dead at the NYFF. I really thought it was great, especially Ethan Hawke and Philip Seymour Hoffman. For some reason, I wasn't expecting to like it so much.
I know quite a few people who won't like all the hopping back and forth, though I thought it was so interesting how you learned a little bit more seeing the same scene played out a couple of times from the different points of view and putting it all together.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to fit Gone Baby Gone into my schedule yet.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 12:10am

I really enjoyed Before the Devil. It is a very accomplished film, and while I know it is early, I can't see Oscar voters happy without the option to vote for Lumet.

As for Gone Baby Gone, I can't seem to agree on this one. While I think baby Affleck is significantly more talented than his big brother as an actor, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd seen this film before and seen it done better all around. And I hate walking out of a film feeling that way. I'm not sure that is big Affleck's problem -- my impression was that he created the mood quite well -- only the script needed to be tightened quite a bit.

My three favorite films of the year so far: Ratatouille, King of Kong, and Lake of Fire. (it's a great year for documentaries)

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 11:52am

I completely agree that Gone Baby Gone has some significant script issues -- enough so that they'll probably prevent it from gaining much traction in the Oscar race (except for maybe Morton's performance). I suppose I probably gave it more benefit of the doubt than perhaps I should because I had so written off Ben Affleck as a talent years ago that I was shocked that he actually showed some real promise as a director in this film. I'm actually curious to see his next attempt behind the camera -- though hopefully he'll leave the screenwriting to someone else.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 11/6/07 at 4:31pm

Morton? Who do you mean? Samantha Morton was the best thing about the new Elizabeth film, but I doubt she'll get a nod for Gone Baby Gone.

If anyone gets anything, it'll be Casey Affleck (if there are no stronger lead performances).

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/6/07 at 4:54pm

Sorry, I meant Amy Ryan (Amy Morton is the name of another great actress who, like Ryan, is a member of Chicago's Steppenwolf Company; I think they're even around the same age).

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/12/07 at 11:20pm

Saw them both...enjoyed Gone Baby Gone but LOVED Before the Devil Knows You're Dead.

This year at the movies is fantastic. Just one phenomenal film after another...I said In The Valley of Elah was the best movie of the year and then said Atonement was but Devil might beat them both. I really hope Lumet gets another Oscar for this...and I hope it's at least nominated for Best Picture...it is flawless.

I was a bit underwhelmed by Gone Baby Gone though...I thought it started off slow and built a very nice emotional arch in the middle and by the end, it kind of tapered off again for me. It wasn't consistent, but it was well directed and featured some nice performances (Amy Ryan was fantastic and I smell an Oscar nod for her).

[wexy]

Posted: 11/13/07 at 11:41am

I saw "Before The Devil" on Friday. Fine work all around.

[don logan]

Posted: 11/13/07 at 2:28pm

Saw Gone Baby Gone and really liked it. Very well made, and Cassey Affleck was great.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 11:14pm

I saw BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD over Thanksgiving weekend. (It truly is the perfect Thanksgiving movie, ain't it? :) ) I really liked it, especially because I had no idea what it was about going in. I was expecting maybe a crime thriller and it served that expectation for maybe the first half hour. But then it became something else more riveting.

I think my only qualm with it is that Albert Finney's character could have been better written and, at times, the editing can be a bit too showy. But, aside from that, I really liked it.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 11:20pm

Did Amy Ryan drop out of the B'way run of August: Osage County?

[bschneid76]

Posted: 11/29/07 at 7:10am

I thought that Before the Devil....was one of the best films I've seen all year. I hope during awards season it get some recognition, especially for Albert Finney. His facial expressions rip your heart out. Sidney Lumet should be honored as well with a best director Oscar. I only wish Rosemary Harris had more to do.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 1/9/08 at 1:41am

I just got back from a showing of "Before the Devil..." and was absolutely blown away! Sidney Lumet is truly in top form at 83 years of age. The performances are great all around, especially Philip Seymour Hoffman (is he ever less than excellent?), Ethan Hawke, and Albert Finney. Marisa Tomei is wonderful in a supporting role and Brian F. O'Byrne also makes an appearance. This film just moved high up into my top ten list for the year 2007.

Gone Baby Gone was a terrific film as well. I saw it a while ago. Nothing can beat seeing it in Boston with a Boston crowd.