Gone Baby Gone
Don't be deceived or told otherwise, Ben Affleck is a talented man. He's always been solid when cast in interesting roles and now with his directorial debut it seems he more than has the potential to move on and up.
Gone, Baby, Gone on the surface is straightforward police thriller about a kidnapped girl but working from Dennis Lehane's novel Affleck and writing partner Aaron Stockard have crafted something much smarter with shades of grey uncommon to the genre. And Affleck brings a steady hand to the direction nudge bringing a natural feel to the film that lets the unfolding drama breath at just the right level
The films centres on the efforts of P.I Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) to help with the investigation of missing young girl, brought in by the child's Uncle and Aunt as the mother's (an excellent Amy Ryan as Helene) seems disinterested and almost uncaring for her daughter.
Patrick reluctantly takes the job and begins making progress with the local resident who won't speak to the police (Ed Harris' Remy Bressant leading the investigation under Morgan Freeman's department chief, Jack Doyle). Things begin to complicate as Patrick begins to piece together the involvement of a local drug lord, the lies of Helene, the burden of Doyle's past and the secrets that begin to almost seep out of the woodwork. Before he is forced to choose between his moral conscience and the woman he loves.
No-one here is a one dimensional cypher and the film constantly presents moments of depth of character that you rarely see elsewhere. One outstanding example is when Helene who up until one point seems totally unconcerned about her daughter wonders aloud if the kidnappers have fed her and suddenly can't stand the thought her daughter might be hungry. And suddenly you heart breaks a little for a character who seemed without heart herself.
Performances are all round excellent with the above mentioned Amy Ryan (and it's not surprising the film feature not one but two alumni of The Wire as it shares a similar complexity) outstanding and Casey Affleck carrying off the dual task of seeming out of his depth and yet being the girl's one chance of being found.
And if the conclusion to the case does perhaps seem a little too neat in the end the agonising choice it leaves Patrick more than makes up for it. If you want an intelligent and though provoking drama this is highly recommended, head and shoulders above the likes of Kiss The Girls.
Below is the opening sequence of the film which pretty much encapsulates the world in which these people live.
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