an impressive showing

Rating: Null/10 (11 February 2008)

Based on a novel by Dennis Lehane and set in middle-class Boston comes this gritty, raw police procedural centering around the kidnapping of a young girl whose mother is a no-account junkie. Patrick Kenzie is a private detective with little experience in kidnapping cases, but knows the ways of the neighborhood and is recruited by the girl's family to try and track her down. Aided by his lover/partner, the case escalates into a personal vendetta that pushes his morale to the limit. Ben Affleck's directorial debut is a surprisingly masterful and gripping tale of morality and justice with an all-too-real setup, flawless performances, and suspenseful plotting. Affleck shows signs of a worthy director, younger brother Casey is strong and poised in the lead, while co-stars Harris and especially Ryan standout in a strong supporting cast. ***