Ben Affleck Takes the Director’s Chair
Pamela Scott Shelton
October 27, 2007
Actor Ben Affleck took the director’s chair in Gone Baby Gone, an adaptation of Dennis Lehane's novel. The film stars Casey Affleck as the Boston based PI Patrick Kenzie; Michelle Monaghan as Kenzie’s love interest, Angie Gennaro; Morgan Freeman as Police Chief Jack Doyle; Ed Harris as Detective Remy Bressant; John Ashton as Detective Nick Poole; Amy Ryan as the dysfunctional Helene McCready; Madeline O’Brien as Amanda McCready, Helene’s beautiful blonde haired little girl; Amy Madigan as Beatrice McCready, who is the life-line for little Amanda in an otherwise dysfunctional family; and a talented cast of others who lend support to one of the best films of 2007.
The film opens with a revealing and insightful look into a Boston blue collar neighborhood that will take many viewers back home to the south side of Chicago, Brooklyn, or (for me) Baltimore. With all the right camera angles and focus, Affleck peels back layer after layer of big city tourist glossies and goes straight to the arteries through which life in today’s neighborhood flows – and it isn’t always for the weak of mind, heart, or stomach. Somewhere between the 1970s and globalization, the blue collar family was left behind, and Affleck is remarkably in touch with that reality. He exposes it with a loving but realistic visualization of the sordid mess that remains. How he captures the reality of it in such intimate detail is perhaps his own director’s magic; but he does it with great success, creating the foundation for a complex and exciting drama to build upon.
Proving himself to be a directing genius, Affleck unravels the mystery of the drama without allowing the plot to become predictable – more director’s magic. There is just one scene where the director’s choice proves baffling, but it is not enough to derail the momentum of the action. Perhaps a discussion for another day.
Taking on a role and character that is surprising, Casey Affleck delivers an outstanding performance as the PI, Patrick Kenzie. Kenzie jumps at the opportunity to make a buck, but then quickly matures when he becomes inextricably involved in a highly public and emotional case. Casey is comfortable in the role, delivers line after line of dialogue that is convincing, absorbing the viewer with its natural flow. Throughout the film he remains strong, confident and convincing in his character and acting ability. It is an Academy Award winning performance, and Casey should prepare himself for that which follows this kind of acting charm, charisma and talent. If he’s not nominated for an Academy Award and People magazine’s sexiest man of 2008, it would be surprising and disappointing.
Caesy Affleck’s success is supported by the long standing greatness of actor Morgan Freeman, who always brings the element of dignity, credibility, and essential goodness to any role he takes on. Ed Harris brilliantly acts the role of a bourbon soured Louisiana detective transplant. How Harris, as Remy Bressant, moves in character with the Louisiana to Boston persona is testimony to his long proven acting greatness. Remy Bressant is an intriguing element and character. John Ashton, as Bressant’s partner, Nick Poole, who is the balance for the two detectives.
There is no end to the praise that should be showered on the director, cast and crew for this film. It is great entertainment and draws the viewer into the drama with conscious wrestling moral decisions and choices that we hope we’re never faced with having to make ourselves. The action carries the viewer along the plot from start to finish. The film is exciting, dramatic and intriguing.
This movie is well worth the price of a ticket, box of popcorn and a soda – and adding the DVD to the personal collection. This is one you’ll want to see again.
The film opens with a revealing and insightful look into a Boston blue collar neighborhood that will take many viewers back home to the south side of Chicago, Brooklyn, or (for me) Baltimore. With all the right camera angles and focus, Affleck peels back layer after layer of big city tourist glossies and goes straight to the arteries through which life in today’s neighborhood flows – and it isn’t always for the weak of mind, heart, or stomach. Somewhere between the 1970s and globalization, the blue collar family was left behind, and Affleck is remarkably in touch with that reality. He exposes it with a loving but realistic visualization of the sordid mess that remains. How he captures the reality of it in such intimate detail is perhaps his own director’s magic; but he does it with great success, creating the foundation for a complex and exciting drama to build upon.
Proving himself to be a directing genius, Affleck unravels the mystery of the drama without allowing the plot to become predictable – more director’s magic. There is just one scene where the director’s choice proves baffling, but it is not enough to derail the momentum of the action. Perhaps a discussion for another day.
Taking on a role and character that is surprising, Casey Affleck delivers an outstanding performance as the PI, Patrick Kenzie. Kenzie jumps at the opportunity to make a buck, but then quickly matures when he becomes inextricably involved in a highly public and emotional case. Casey is comfortable in the role, delivers line after line of dialogue that is convincing, absorbing the viewer with its natural flow. Throughout the film he remains strong, confident and convincing in his character and acting ability. It is an Academy Award winning performance, and Casey should prepare himself for that which follows this kind of acting charm, charisma and talent. If he’s not nominated for an Academy Award and People magazine’s sexiest man of 2008, it would be surprising and disappointing.
Caesy Affleck’s success is supported by the long standing greatness of actor Morgan Freeman, who always brings the element of dignity, credibility, and essential goodness to any role he takes on. Ed Harris brilliantly acts the role of a bourbon soured Louisiana detective transplant. How Harris, as Remy Bressant, moves in character with the Louisiana to Boston persona is testimony to his long proven acting greatness. Remy Bressant is an intriguing element and character. John Ashton, as Bressant’s partner, Nick Poole, who is the balance for the two detectives.
There is no end to the praise that should be showered on the director, cast and crew for this film. It is great entertainment and draws the viewer into the drama with conscious wrestling moral decisions and choices that we hope we’re never faced with having to make ourselves. The action carries the viewer along the plot from start to finish. The film is exciting, dramatic and intriguing.
This movie is well worth the price of a ticket, box of popcorn and a soda – and adding the DVD to the personal collection. This is one you’ll want to see again.
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