Affleck delivers a fine film on a touchy subject

Rating: 8/10 (26 September 2008)

The child of a Boston junkie goes missing, her family enlist the services of local community private eyes, Patrick Kenzie(Casey Affleck) and his girlfriend Michelle Monaghan, to find her, hoping that their knowledge of the area and its personalities might help bring them better success than that of the police. Police captain Jack Doyle(Morgan Freeman) isn't too happy at their involvement but nonetheless submits to tier lawful requests to be kept informed of the case details. They are put in touch with the hardnosed investigating detectives Remy Bressant (Ed Harris) and Nick Poole, together they investigate all possible leads. A Ben Affleck directed film might sound like one to miss, but this taut thriller is very well directed, based on the Dennis Lehane novel, Afflecks real directing debut is also full of well developed characters all finely acted by an excellent ensemble, a lot of it can be put down to these elements but Affleck has also added some directing flare, his brother Casey prove that his fine performance in The Assassination of Jesse James was no fluke, again he provides a charismatic and cultured portrayal. I hate to say it, The Affleck's have talent. Gone Baby Gone is a tough and at times brutal film that touches on sensitive subjects without ever sensationalizing them.