A powerful Boston drama

Rating: 9/10 (21 May 2020)

Gripping, and at times disturbing - Gone Baby Gone is a powerful Boston drama with multiple revelations & a compelling resolution thats up for ethical debate.
Ben Affleck delivers a tremendous adaption of Dennis Lehane's novel, authentically depicting the bleakness of Dorchester, it's people (mostly degenerates) and it's surroundings - perhaps on par with Clint Eastwood's adaptation of Mystic River.
Casey Affleck is just bloody brilliant in his role as Patrick Kenzie. As he narrates the film, we are given additional insight into his motivations and perspective of the world around him. During the film, he comes face to face with repugnant characters and is forced to grapple with his naive ideologies of right and wrong, and the fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church. Throughout, he delivers a careful, subdued & stoic performance - showing just the right amount of emotion to express his turmoil as the events unfold.
A performance that has to mentioned comes from Amy Ryan as Helene (the mother of missing Amanda). A trashy coke hoe, and a sad excuse for a mother - she prefers binge drinking, mouthing off & watching Jerry Springer to co-operating with the police on her daughters disappearance. From the outset she garners such hatred - you are tempted to believe that wherever Amanda is, she's better off. At times she does displays genuine concern for her daughters wellbeing and it's hard not to feel empathy for her in some way, though it seems a bit of an act to bask in the news spotlight.

About half way thought the film, there's a sort of false ending then the story picks up again and goes full speed into a gruesome discovery and major plot twists delivered in the form of flashbacks.
*spoiler*
One scene that stands out for me is when Affleck's character teams up with local drug dealer Bubba to find known paedophile Colwin Earle & his associates, the Trett's. The bathroom sequence was wonderfully filmed, shots alternating between the sink; the bathtub, Affleck's reaction and his reaction. The music that accompanied this sequence made it all the more emotive and I actually felt nauseous watching it. Truly harrowing.
The ending is definitely a talking point for the audience to discuss where their moral compass resides - was Patrick right? Or did he make a massive mistake that he'll live to regret?
All in all, this is a wonderful film with excellent supporting roles from Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris & Michelle Monaghan. A must watch if you like crime/thrillers.