Affleck brings a strong air of humanity to directorial debut

Rating: 8/10 (6 June 2008)

Perhaps Ben Affleck should stay in the director's chair. If I had been asked to guess if Affleck would make a good director, I probably wouldn't bet my money on it, but I certainly wasn't going to hold it against him upon viewing this film. Now having seen the delicacy with which he handles this film, I have to say that he has a pair of highly capable directing hands.
"Gone Baby Gone" is a top notch under-the-radar thriller and another successful film adaptation of a Dennis Lehane (Mystic River) novel. Affleck has essentially helped plant Lehane's solid seed and done nearly all the work required to let it blossom. This is not one of those arrogant, chin-in-the-air missing child investigative mysteries--it is genuine and honest nearly the entire time. Affleck really keeps his impressive cast of characters on the ground and they are all played by talented actors capable of doing just that.
The story follows independent detective Patrick Kenzie, played by Affleck's younger brother Casey, who easily surpasses his brother's depth and range of acting talent. Basically, Kenzie and his girlfriend (Monaghan) are brought on to help investigate the case of a missing four- year-old girl and what Patrick finds along the way begins to test his character. Kenzie is a thick-accented hard-nosed Bostonian who gets a lot of flack for looking younger than his age but keeps his worth based on who he knows in Boston. Ironically, the role is true to life for the younger Affleck, whose success has been impeded by his youthful appearance. It's a shame, too. Casey keeps the serious, introspective tone of the film alive and prevents it from getting too ridiculous at the end when the film takes some overused twists and turns as the mystery is revealed.
The supporting cast, particularly the always-talented Ed Harris and the missing girl's mother played by Amy Ryan (who we will surely be seeing more of), was also outstanding and helped push across the very human feel of the film, truly its greatest strength. It stays very theme- focused and some excellent dialogue keeps the intensity up. There is some high quality trash talking in the film (thanks to Ben, probably) and that plus some of the scenes in the beginning portray Kenzie in a way that does not make him seem any more powerful because he's the investigator--a trait not common of thrillers.
The film really stays close to its themes and makes it very clear, but not in an overstated or cheesy way. That is avoided because Affleck the humanity and realism are established so early in the film. Just looking at the actors gives off a working-class vibe. The small role actors and extras were not chosen because they were easy on the eyes and that's commendable and integral to the vibe of the film. From a technical perspective, Ben focuses the camera on people and the Boston backdrop a bit too and people and places is what real life is at its most essential. He picks the right moments to show characters and grasp their emotions and what they're likely thinking.
"Gone" will likely exceed your expectations, especially for Ben Affleck, but it won't go above and beyond anything you've seen before--it's not one of those genre-transforming films. Affleck just takes the story and brings it to its full potential in a way that is thoughtful and entertaining and that's all we can ask for from a director.