Perhaps not life changing but still a really well made and interesting film

Rating: 8/10 (15 November 2007)

If the summer of 2007 of was the summer of action than the Fall of 2007 is the fall to stop and think. I have seen a host of really great films this fall and a lot of them give you a lot to think about and I don't think anything is wrong with that at all. Gone Baby Gone presents itself like a mystery kidnapping film but that's not what is at the heart of this film. This film is far more about a decision made to protect an innocent person and whether that decision is justifiable. On top of that it's also really a look into a Boston neighborhood and I was really impressed with director and co-writer Ben Affleck's capture of this neighborhood (his own of course before moving to Hollywood) and how real everything seemed. It was dark and gritty and just had this feeling of emotions and real life tied up in it and I think that's pretty impressive for Affleck. The story unfolds like a typical kidnapping story but ends up turning into something completely different than you would have ever expected. It's also a very real look into the life of the rough Boston neighborhood which I didn't really think looked on it in all that great of light but perhaps in just a form of reality.
Casey Affleck plays the lead role, fortunate to have his older brother directing. Casey Affleck has had some decent roles over the years but nothing really stellar and this performance as young but street smart PI Patrick Kenzie is pretty good. Oscar worthy? Mmmm I don't really think so but it's a good role. I mean how far of a stretch is it for him to play the street smart, tough talking Bostonian because isn't that what he is? Still he commands the screen and does a good job in the lead. Michelle Monaghan was really good in Mission Impossible III with a small role and yet in a critically acclaimed film such as this she's just kind of there. I mean her role is kind of subtle and she has an important purpose as the balance to Casey Affleck's character but she just doesn't make herself stand out in the role. I hesitate to say this but her role is almost dull compared to some of the others. Enter the amazing Ed Harris who IS hands down deserving of a best Supporting Actor nod in this amazing role as the tough as nails Boston Cop. His speeches and emotions and just his entire performance is gut wrenching and he is amazing in this part. He steals the show quite simply!! Equally amazing Hollywood elite actor Morgan Freeman plays a small but very important role as the chief of police. He doesn't get a whole lot of dialog or a whole lot to play with in the role but seeing him on screen is always great. John Ashton is also really great as Harris' partner who often has to step aside to Harris' performance but still does great playing off of that. Amy Ryan, Amy Madigan and Titus Welliver also turn in decent performances as the family of the missing girl.
Gone Baby Gone is a bit of a roller coaster mystery because certainly it's left for the viewer to uncover as Casey Affleck's character does. And in the end you won't be anywhere near where you started and every twist and turn takes you further into the mystery but for the most part everything matches up and is brought together without plot holes or question marks. Finally in the end the mystery is not who took the girl as much as why they took her and is what they did morally right and it leaves a really thought provoking question in your mind or maybe not...maybe you will just outright side with one side or the other. Either way the film is a real treat to watch filmed with real expertise but as I said I don't know if I'd label it one of the best of the year by any means and I'm not sure that Academy Award status is to be given for anyone other than Ed Harris' powerful supporting performance and MAYBE Casey Affleck in the off chance. The film is full of gratuitous bad language and a cold hard look at working class Boston. Still it's worth checking out hands down!! Destined to be a new career turn for Mr. Ben Affleck. 8/10