Based on the Dennis Lehane novel about two Boston area detectives investigating a little girl's kidnapping, which ultimately turns into a crisis both professionally and personally.
This guy I know, let's call him Flanders (hopefully you get the reference), commented to me that he found this movie tough to watch. As the father of two young girls, I don't disagree. Considering the subject matter, it should be. If it's not for you, see a professional.
The thing I didn't expect was the way it unfolded. Pretty quickly you realize that this isn't about a upper middle class family being robbed of a loved one in the middle of the night. In fact, it couldn't be any more opposite to that scenario. This is the story of a single mother completely entrenched in the world of drugs that she has no concept of responsibility to herself, let alone the 5 year old daughter that she abandons to shape the plot.
As the opening credits roll you are introduced to private detective Patrick Kenzie, played by more than able Casey Affleck and his partner/girlfriend Angie Gennaro, played by Michelle Monaghan. Concurrently, you are brought up to date via news briefings on the state of the child abduction, now a couple days old.
The catalyst that gets the film rolling is the arrival of the child's Aunt and Uncle, played by Amy Madigan and Titus Welliver, to the detective's apartment/office and the pleading of help based on their knowledge of the neighborhood and people.
As I stated, we are quickly thrown into a world that has given up. A world that has surrendered to violence and drugs. People who are apathetic at best and believably horrid at their worst. During this introduction, we meet the authorities that are charged with solving this abduction: Morgan Freeman as Captain Jack Doyle, Ed Harris as Detective Remy Bressant and John Ashton as Detective Nick Poole. Not happy about being outsourced, but not too abrasive as you normally see in these movie situations.
True to form, as the sleuths begin to press, they start to uncover some unknown truths that set off the fireworks and delve you deeper than you'd rather go.
First off, let me say that there is no doubt in my mind that this will be up for best picture come February. I don't see much else out there between now and December 31 with this emotional impact, But we will see.
I've been saying it for years, Casey Affleck is the more talented actor of the two Afflecks. After seeing him in the farce Drowning Mona, I knew he could be the real deal. The Ocean movies showed off his comic ability, but with his recent Jesse James film and now this big time role, he has arrived.
I actually would not be surprised to see a triple whammy here: nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor, and you're reading it here first kids, Best Director. I'm probably being optimistic, because the film didn't suck. Anytime Ben Affleck doesn't suck, people tend to go so hard the other way with praise. I'm jumping on that bandwagon today, because he made a gritty, dark, emotional movie.
Michelle Monaghan lends a little grounding to the film. Though we don't see much of the movie through her eyes as it moves along, she turns an excellent performance on two seperate occasions when the film truly needs it to provide the emotional dilema.
Ed Harris and John Ashton don't truly veer much farther than previous roles they have played, but they are just what the movie asks for and needs in the detective roles. Morgan Freeman, plays a cop that's been through it all before and has become hard and jaded. Remember that as you watch the movie, it may help you.
Finally, Amy Ryan plays the embattled mother that can't pull it together, won't pull it together because there is no problem here. When someone potrays a character so well that you have no idea that she might be anything other than that role, you have a show. Now that I think about it, don't be surprised to get a Supporting Actress Nomination here. The Academy loves drug addled moms.
To sum up, see this movie for it's gritty realism, and it's story. It's more than what you think it is. The story will shock you, offend you, maybe hurt you; it's worth it and the closing scene is the most poignant I've seen in years. Be prepared for very strong language and situations. Once again, Rated R for a reason folks.
I give Gone Baby Gone 4.5 patron saint medallions out of 5 for a solid performance by everybody involved.
Elijah
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