A fundamental moral question

Rating: 8/10 (30 January 2009)

Based on the novels by Dennis Lehane, this is a drama about the kidnapping of a young, innocent girl, aged three, in the rough town of Dorchester, Boston. Her mother is a drug mule and addict who clearly does not pay much attention to her daughter, often leaving her unaccompanied for many hours, which makes you wonder why Social Services have not stepped in before. The cops are involved in finding the girl by default, but the girl's uncle and aunt, obviously wealthy, also get involved. They hire two private investigators (played by Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan) that live in the area and know many of the locals, making them well suited for the case.
A real gripping film which takes many twists and turns throughout, almost leaving you confused half way through, but then people start to talk and villains are exposed. In the end you are left with a very clear picture, in addition to a critical moral question that keeps you asking yourself what is the right thing to do Â– what would I do? A touching film that will have you truly questioning your own judgement beyond the final "cut".