Gone Baby Gone (2007) -- Drama

Grade: A-

Star Rating: 9.0


Netflix: No. 

"I would recommend this movie to just about anyone who enjoys fine cinema and fantastic writing & directing. This movie will take your breath away, make your heart stop, make your head spin, and make your stomach churn."

Gone Baby Gone (2007) is perhaps my all time favorite movie. This is purely subjective.

Perhaps it's because the story is so captivating, or maybe it's because I see so much of myself in the main character, but I absolutely adore this movie. It's riveting and original (it's about a kidnapping and the subsequent investigation into said kidnapping), and has an A list cast. The directing style and cinematography remind me of Se7en. I'm not sure which of these boosts it to my top 3 list, but it's probably a combination of all of them.

The movie takes place in Boston, "present day" (circa 2007). Let me just start out by saying this is a no bullshit type of movie. It's dark. More on that later. It is, as many Casey Affleck's movies are, a story of a man struggling with internal man v self problems. Compounding those moral dilemmas, present in just about every 'act' of the movie, is the reoccurring theme of hopelessness. Motif is a good word. It has a very solid motif.

This movie is one prolonged dark tunnel and you're passing through it with the characters. This is an emotionally trying roller coaster and it's executed very well. The characters are compelling and the dialogue (and delivery) is equally well written.

Watch this film.