The story begins with shots of a busy street in Boston. Sirens screaming, people in crowds, journalists broadcasting, police everywhere, women crying. A little girl is missing. A four-year old blonde girl has been kidnapped. A young couple, just a few blocks away, is watching the news. Patrick (Casey Affleck) and Angie (Michelle Monaghan) are private investigators, unaware of the fact that few hours later they’re going to be asked to take over the case. The header of the police department Jack Doyle (Morgan Freeman) assigns the case to one of his most experienced detectives Remy Bressant (Ed Harris) in order to help Patrick. After a series of researches and interrogations, there’s still something missing.
Gone Baby Gone is Ben Affleck’s first directing attempt and to my humble opinion couldn’t have done better. The story-transfer from Dennis Lehane’s (“Mystic River”, “Shutter Island”) homonymous novel bears also Ben Affleck’s signature along with Aaron Stockard’s. The film was nominated for an Oscar and won a long list of awards. It was rated R for violence, drugs and language.
The movie goes fast… And I mean fast! Ben Affleck confessed that he skipped many parts of the book in order to fit the film in a reasonable and acceptable time limit. I haven’t read the book so I couldn’t possibly know what he’s cut out, but I do know that he hasn’t put a single superfluous shot even though he had his chance more than once. No procedures, no preparations, no introductions, no babble. Goes straight to the point with quick alternant shots, not interested in the procedure but only the outcome. This specificity in plot with all its difficulties turns out to become his advantage.
The actor-director Affleck gives the leading role to his little brother, who’s not going to disappoint him. Casey’s raucous voice matches perfectly to the narrative character of his role, not to underestimate his laudable performance. Two vets cover the supporting roles, adding an extra quality to the film. What deserves special attention is the amazing performance of Amy Ryan (Oscar nomination) who lost the Academy Award from the equally fantastic Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton – 2008 Awards). She is absolutely disarming, giving her touch and unique interpretation on how a low-mental-status, junkie mother should look, move even feel, when the most remarkable moments are when she speaks through silence. I truly believe she is the finishing touch at an already commendable production.
So let’s see: we have a good story (!), good director (!), good actors (!) is it a good movie then? Well I think it is. It’s not that you haven’t seen one of these before. It’s because you HAVE seen one of these before and yet this one is going to stick with you for a little longer. Huge decisions, ethical quandaries, tiny little humans. End titles and you find yourself wondering: “What would I do?”
Till next Saturday… enjoy!
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