An under-rated surprise, if a tad dark and depressing - 75%

Rating: 7/10 (21 April 2009)

If I say 'Ben Affleck' to you, what's the first thing that comes into your mind? "Gigli"? "Daredevil"? J-Lo? Probably not what first brought him to wider attention, coming up with the Oscar-winning screenplay behind "Good Will Hunting" with fellow thesp Matt Damon. Thankfully, he's in serious-mode here behind the camera and has directed a chilling but gripping drama that, sadly, was overtaken by real-life and as a result, criminally overlooked.
When a young girl goes missing from a tough Boston suburb, the girl's aunt (Amy Madigan) hires local private detectives Patrick Kenzie (Ben's brother Casey Affleck) and Angie Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan) to assist the police investigation. Hoping their experience in the neighbourhood will pay dividends, Patrick and Angie begin to uncover a maze of deception and darkness that lies at the heart of the case which threaten not only the girl's safety but also their own lives in ways neither expected.
With its release delayed in the UK by the tragic abduction of Madeline McCann, chances are that most film goers won't be too familiar with this movie and that's a shame because this is a terrific film. The story, while feeling that it has one twist too many, has a palpable sense of realism to it that I've not felt in a movie since "Training Day" and makes the unfolding drama all the more unbearable. Credit must also go to the cast who all add to the authenticity. Probably the best of the bunch is Ed Harris as detective Remy Bressant, despite the presence of the always excellent Morgan Freeman. But what makes "Gone Baby Gone" really stand out, for me, is the wonderfully written climax which not only provides the viewer with something to think about but also means that this is one movie that might challenge your expectations.
This is not an easy movie to watch - I was surprised it was only a 15 certificate given the amount of swearing, violence and gore - but "Gone Baby Gone" is a film that you should see. There aren't too many thought-provoking dramas that can hold your attention throughout but this is certainly one of them. It does feel slightly too long and like I said, I think it had one twist too many but that doesn't stop this being a great movie, even if it's not exactly a date flick. It's harrowing, chilling and disturbingly real and while it may not be to everyone's tastes, you cannot argue with a film that was much better than you expected it to be. Here's hoping Ben Affleck has ditched his pretty-boy airhead persona for good - can we have more of this, please?