One of the stronger Hollywood mysteries of recent years

Rating: 9/10 (21 May 2010)

Wonderfully ambiguous, uncompromised, morally complex story of young private eye involved with a local kidnapping case. Terrific performances from Casey Affleck, Amy Ryan, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman et al. Also note worthy is the film's great sense of place. The world of the film feels real, and not like a tinsel-town projection of a working class Boston neighborhood.
Ben Affleck brings surprising subtlety and depth to his directorial debut, and ends up making one of the most intelligent Hollywood mysteries in recent years.
There are flaws; the last 1/3 isn't quite as strong in terms of plot â€“ a few twists hard to swallow. And the 'girlfriend' role is written a little thin for a film where most characters are so filled out. But the film leaves us shaken and thinking. How many recent films can you say that about?