"Gone Baby Gone" Talkback (Spoilers)

[Lord Dalek]

Everyone Wants The Truth...Until They Find It

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/lorddalek/gonebabygone.jpg

Release Date: October 19, 2007
Studio: Miramax
Director: Ben Affleck
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris

Plot Summary: "Gone Baby Gone" is Ben Affleck's directorial debut and is based on the novel from the acclaimed author of "Mystic River." It is an intense look inside an ongoing investigation about the mysterious disappearance of a little girl. Two young private detectives (Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan) are hired to take a closer look at the case and soon discover that nothing is what it seems. Ultimately, they will have to risk everything -- their relationship, their sanity, and even their lives -- to find a little girl-lost. The film also stars Academy Award Winner Morgan Freeman ("Million Dollar Baby") and Academy Award Nominee Ed Harris ("Pollack").

COMMENTS?

More fun with Dennis Lehane!

Mystic River (http://www.toonzone.net/forums/showthread.php?t=264281)
Shutter Island (http://www.toonzone.net/forums/showthread.php?t=264271)

[Hanshotfirst113]

Just saw this, and I was really knocked flat. I owe the Affleck brothers an apology. Seeing Ben in the director's chair made me want to stay far, far away, but after the gushing reviews, I finally buckled down and rented it. And Ben, I was stone-cold wrong. A powerful moral conundrum fuels a great noir tale, though the narrative momentum stalls a few times, almost starting up all over again in the second half. Still, while flawed and overlong, it's provocative and superbly shot. What really sells the movie are the superb performances. His kid brother is really one hell of an actor, Freeman is good as always, but it's the character actor bits that really sell it. Cast largely out of a Boston phonebook evidently, they're all superb characters. DP John Toll is in perfect sync, and Affleck, as a native Bostonite, gives his hometown a big valentine, warts and all. This is a potent punch, and for once, the comparisons with Clint Eastwood, who hit it big with his own Lehane adaptation in Mystic River, are dead on. One of the year's best. Really, really superb. Sorry Benny. I was wrong-o, Holden. Looks like you've finally found something personal to say. And from here on out, I'll be watching your behind the camera career. Sorry I doubted you.

[Palin Dromos]

I too recently had this come up on my Netflix list and was also pleasantly surprised.

I agree that the strength of the film lay in the performances. That's one thing that can usually shine when you put an actor in the directors chair, they've usually got a very strong sense of how to work with their cast.

The casting of locals was definitely a welcome change from the usual Hollywood background performers.

I was initially a little disappointed with the casting of Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman, primarily because they seemed to be playing roles I've seen them in before and they seemed predictable. By the end of the film I was pleasantly disabused of that notion. Kudos on that.

The two female leads also turned in really strong performances.

I'll be looking to see what Ben directs next. I would hope that he stays with smaller character driven projects so he can really hone his skills.

[Doctor Nick]

Yea huge fan of this movie. I really wasn't expecting much coming for Ben Affleck, I'm a fan of Casey, but yea a really fantastic movie.

[Hanshotfirst113]

I agree that the strength of the film lay in the performances. That's one thing that can usually shine when you put an actor in the directors chair, they've usually got a very strong sense of how to work with their cast.

Probably because they'd know how they'd want to be directed.


The two female leads also turned in really strong performances.

Ryan in particular really deserved the Oscar nod. Good stuff.


I'll be looking to see what Ben directs next. I would hope that he stays with smaller character driven projects so he can really hone his skills.

Who knows, maybe like Eastwood and some other actor-turned-directors, he'll have found his place there.

[Lord Dalek]

My question is how did this film get completely lost when it came to the Oscars this year. Its probably the best film of 2007 and nobody saw it due to that admittedly great but not as good Coen thing stealing all the thunder.

[Hanshotfirst113]

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead pretty much passed under the radar too.

[DarkAngel]

Seeing Ben in the director's chair made me want to stay far, far away, but after the gushing reviews, I finally buckled down and rented it.
Opposite for me. Knowing Ben was behind the camera and not in front of it had me breathing a sigh of relief, since he almost certainly would have ruined the experience if he was in the movie. It seems Ben might have found his talent. He's a better director than actor.


One of the year's best. Really, really superb.
Yeah, I really liked it. My expectations were very high after seeing the trailer (multiple times :) ) and the movie didn't quite live up to them, but I enjoyed it. Casey was great. Two winners for him with GBG and TAOJJBTCRF.