Afflecks team up in 'Gone Baby Gone'
By Bruce R. Miller Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, February 10, 2008
It's all about the performance.
At least that's what sparks the films released Tuesday on DVD.
Amy Ryan nabbed an Oscar nomination for her work in "Gone Baby Gone." Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro should have for their turns in "Things We Lost in the Fire."
Ryan plays the mother of a little girl who has disappeared on the streets of Boston. Two investigators (brother Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan) check into the case and discover the pre-schooler's mother is a known drug addict; her future is decidedly bleak. Yet a sister (Amy Madigan) is determined to get little Amanda back. The two investigators go on the hunt and realize the Boston Police Department, led by a stern guy with a very public past, isn't going to be much help. Instead, they mine clues dropped by former classmates. One drug dealer leads to another; one drip of information turns into a puddle of accusation.
Director Ben Affleck doesn't overdo the atmosphere. His thugs are threatening, not insane; his drug addicts are pitiable, not pitiful. He makes the investigators human, too, and doesn't leave the story when a resolution seems obvious. Taking "Gone Baby Gone" beyond its natural conclusion, he finds another story (an obvious story, but another one) that poses a real moral dilemma.
Casey Affleck -- so good in "The Assassination of Jesse James" -- solidifies his acting rep with this different, but equally intense, performance. Trying to get a kernel of information from his friends, he isn't afraid to fall back on old habits to get them to talk. One false step and he's probably back where they started. Monaghan doesn't get much to play, but she provides able support while Madigan, Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman (as the police chief) get to strut their acting stuff.
While some moments smack of "NYPD Blue," "Gone Baby Gone" isn't a pat thriller. It's a calling card for Affleck and a great showcase for Ryan.
Also: 'Things'
In "Things We Lost in the Fire," Berry exposes raw emotion and ignites a performance that recalls the one that won her an Oscar.
She plays the wife of David Duchovny, a generous sort who's best friends with a heroin addict (Benicio Del Toro).
One night on the way to a convenience store, Duchovny is shot and killed by a wife abuser.
Berry doesn't know how to cope but she decides to make her husband's friend her own. She takes him under wing, gets him off drugs and watches as he becomes a replacement.
Director Susanne Bier doesn't make easy choices but she does give Berry and Del Toro plenty of opportunity to find the right emotions.
The two are incredibly powerful in roles that aren't easy to play. Del Toro gets a huge arc and a lot of support. When he helps Berry's children find purpose, "Fire" roars. A scene with her son in a swimming pool is tremendous. A moment in his friend's office, revelatory.
It's a powerful film that says there's hope for everyone.
Also this week:
TV: "Blade, the series"; "Dallas," season eight; "Equalizer," season one; "Family Ties," season three; "Hotel Babylon," season one; "Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive"; "Wonder Pets: Save the Dinosaur"
Film: "The Amateurs"; "Becoming Jane"; "Blue State"; "The Bubble"; "Dirty Laundry"; "Fat Girls"; "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"; "Into the Wild"; "Martian Child"; "No Reservations"; "Primal"; "Why Did I Get Married"; "We Own the Night"
At least that's what sparks the films released Tuesday on DVD.
Amy Ryan nabbed an Oscar nomination for her work in "Gone Baby Gone." Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro should have for their turns in "Things We Lost in the Fire."
Ryan plays the mother of a little girl who has disappeared on the streets of Boston. Two investigators (brother Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan) check into the case and discover the pre-schooler's mother is a known drug addict; her future is decidedly bleak. Yet a sister (Amy Madigan) is determined to get little Amanda back. The two investigators go on the hunt and realize the Boston Police Department, led by a stern guy with a very public past, isn't going to be much help. Instead, they mine clues dropped by former classmates. One drug dealer leads to another; one drip of information turns into a puddle of accusation.
Director Ben Affleck doesn't overdo the atmosphere. His thugs are threatening, not insane; his drug addicts are pitiable, not pitiful. He makes the investigators human, too, and doesn't leave the story when a resolution seems obvious. Taking "Gone Baby Gone" beyond its natural conclusion, he finds another story (an obvious story, but another one) that poses a real moral dilemma.
Casey Affleck -- so good in "The Assassination of Jesse James" -- solidifies his acting rep with this different, but equally intense, performance. Trying to get a kernel of information from his friends, he isn't afraid to fall back on old habits to get them to talk. One false step and he's probably back where they started. Monaghan doesn't get much to play, but she provides able support while Madigan, Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman (as the police chief) get to strut their acting stuff.
While some moments smack of "NYPD Blue," "Gone Baby Gone" isn't a pat thriller. It's a calling card for Affleck and a great showcase for Ryan.
Also: 'Things'
In "Things We Lost in the Fire," Berry exposes raw emotion and ignites a performance that recalls the one that won her an Oscar.
She plays the wife of David Duchovny, a generous sort who's best friends with a heroin addict (Benicio Del Toro).
One night on the way to a convenience store, Duchovny is shot and killed by a wife abuser.
Berry doesn't know how to cope but she decides to make her husband's friend her own. She takes him under wing, gets him off drugs and watches as he becomes a replacement.
Director Susanne Bier doesn't make easy choices but she does give Berry and Del Toro plenty of opportunity to find the right emotions.
The two are incredibly powerful in roles that aren't easy to play. Del Toro gets a huge arc and a lot of support. When he helps Berry's children find purpose, "Fire" roars. A scene with her son in a swimming pool is tremendous. A moment in his friend's office, revelatory.
It's a powerful film that says there's hope for everyone.
Also this week:
TV: "Blade, the series"; "Dallas," season eight; "Equalizer," season one; "Family Ties," season three; "Hotel Babylon," season one; "Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive"; "Wonder Pets: Save the Dinosaur"
Film: "The Amateurs"; "Becoming Jane"; "Blue State"; "The Bubble"; "Dirty Laundry"; "Fat Girls"; "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"; "Into the Wild"; "Martian Child"; "No Reservations"; "Primal"; "Why Did I Get Married"; "We Own the Night"
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
