Well-structured plot line, finely-directed with studied performances

Rating: 8/10 (29 June 2008)

I first heard of this film more given its release date than for the film itself given the (continuing) Madelaine McCann saga. Then with the DVD in front of me, I wasn't sure if it was worth spending an afternoon to watch. Firstly, it's Hollywood so I assume all the characters will be cardboard cut-outs with a plot line simple enough to be understood in Arkansas drive-ins. Wait a minute- Ben Affleck is the director?!?! Come on! No wait, it gets better- it stars his BROTHER! And Morgan Freeman as yet another cop. Not only does this seem like further evidence of extremely lazy casting, but he looks almost a dead ringer for Nelson Mandela who turned 90 this week. And he's supposed to be retiring EARLY in the film! So perhaps all this led me to be pleasantly surprised. The characters don't seem much more developed from standard British cop shows on the telly, but they aren't tarted up either. The plot is complicated without being too complex which allows the view to be involved without being taxes. I do have an issue with some of the twists that seem too contrived, particularly at the end, but in the end the message leaves one actually thinking about one's own personal position- this is after all what made Million Dollar Baby so controversial and successful. The direction is tight, and performances understated. Since the Pearl Harbour debacle Mr. Affleck has really taken his craft seriously and sought to earn respect for his professional development. I certainly recommend this film, writing as a cynic. www.lairdkeir.spaces.live.com