Gone Over With Much of Public

Rating: Null/10 (20 October 2007)

A morally ambiguous tale is told within a quite murky structure. It seems to wander here and there, without the feeling of anything but free form. Rather reminded me a bit of that similar detective yarn of yore, "The Big Sleep," in which Bogart and Bacall danced around a convoluted script--and managed to get away with it.
The acting in "Gone, Baby Gone" is so confident and dedicated, and the production so convinced of itself, that when one "doesn't get" everything, one tends to think it's just their lack of understanding.
I suppose if one would make the effort to analyze everything, much of it would make sense. Indeed, the production is designed to make one think all the ends are tied up. Still I've a suspicion that some of it's a conjurer's trick, through crafty writing and editing manipulation. Director Afflect shows us just what he wants us to see at any one time, leaving other "bits of evidence" either out or delayed, to create a "surprise effect" down the road.
Lead actor Affect slurs and mumbles his way through his lines, I suppose giving a "realistic" performance. Some of the violence seemed a bit gratuitous and pat; still, I admit the plot needs some action from time to time to liven things up.
How long this film will "last" remains to be seen. I've a feeling it won't be among the "great" detective stories, but only time will tell. On the positive side, Messers. Afflect and cast and crew have made a respectable piece of work, and the much of the public and critics tend to agree. ###