Emotionally harrowing, mesmerizing crime mystery

Rating: 9/10 (23 July 2008)

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" goes the timeless saying, and such is a maxim increasingly applied to the film industry through the years. Though originality and strikingly fresh and new ideas are often sought as the storytelling ideal, there remains something to be said for a not all together unfamiliar but resoundingly quality effort within known parameters. It is on this front that Gone Baby Gone proves a rousing success - despite being primarily recognized as another crime mystery by the author of the more renowned Mystic River, the film proves such a staunchly quality package to warrant differentiation, as well as being recognized as the emotionally harrowing, gripping and flat out powerful mini-masterpiece that it is.
While the story, adapted from the Dennis Lehane novel, is well tread ground for those experienced in the crime or mystery genres, making some of the more crucial plot twists apparent before the fact, it scarcely detracts from the execution, beautifully elegant in its simplicity. Touching upon themes of class struggles, moral ambiguity, corruption as well as Catholic introspection worthy of Scorsese (Mean Streets is an obvious influence), the sheer authenticity on display makes for a genuinely compelling immersion into the slums of Boston in all of their sleaze and grit. These are real people having real interaction in real environments, transfixing the viewer by the near complete absence of Hollywood showiness or sugar-coating - rather than a finely tuned script, the impression is given of peeking over the shoulder of those interacting in real life, and the picture is more often than not a pretty one.
Director Ben Affleck seems to have found his true calling with this remarkable directorial debut, as both his stellar script (co-written by Aaron Stockard) and emotionally charged directorial presence throb with passion and dedication for the film. Keeping the pace reflective and riveting without ever having to rush, Affleck holds the tension on a slow burn throughout while retaining every ounce of emotional intensity - the result being a slow, steadily affecting immersion in the story, making each twist all the more gripping, each raw human interaction all the more draining and eerily moving. Some beautiful cinematography, sublime editing and an affecting, minimalist score which only on occasion falls back on convention complete the stunning overall product
Casey Affleck cements his status as a genuinely bankable leading man as rough but vulnerable investigator Patrick Kenzie, as his truly powerful, stoic, brooding presence anchors the film, his understated simmer and brutish emoting retaining the audience's full sympathies through every twist and turn. In contrast, the highly talented Michelle Monaghan disappointingly proves one of the film's weaker aspects as Kenzie's girlfriend and investigative partner, though not through lack of trying. Despite her best efforts, and impressive fuming in emotionally heated scenes, Monaghan is saddled with an insulting lack of character, often given nothing to do but stand around silently, making for a criminally choppy and underdeveloped character and a waste of considerable dramatic potential. However, Ed Harris proves at the top of his considerable game as an abrasive police officer, a dynamic powerhouse of a performance. Similarly, Morgan Freeman provides his usual quiet dignity and class with a subversive twist as a shady police captain haunted by the death of his daughter, and Freeman's wistful eyes offer uneasy entrance into a damaged soul - a truly affecting and resonating performance. Amy Ryan also impresses as the sleazy, drug addicted mother whose daughter was kidnapped, managing a brusque charm amidst her countless foibles.
Despite few storyline surprises being in store, the real surprise is how flat out mesmerizing the film is, its constant eerie calm and claustrophobic intensity making for a thoroughly riveting and draining watch, near inevitable to haunt viewers for days afterwards. With sturdy, lyrical directing and rock solid performances aplenty, Gone Baby Gone breathes fresh vigour into the hard worn crime drama, easily worth a watch.
-9/10