REVIEW: GONE BABY GONE

Gone Baby Gone is Ben Affleck's directorial debut. After watching this film I wondered aloud whether or not he should stick to directing full-time because he's much better behind the camera than in front of it.

All kidding aside, his talents are much better served in this role than giving us another Gigli, which was absolutely horendous. In his first attempt Ben was able to put together an all-star cast of talent and deliver an emotional, gut-wrenching kidnapping story that would make the made-for-TV-movie-makers over at Lifetime Television happy.

Here's the trailer:


His brother Casey Affleck is the film's lead actor, and he's a private detective that at first seems to be in way over his head regarding a local kidnapping case involving a very young child.

As a father of two young ones myself I can't even begin to tell you how much more disturbing these kinds of movies our now that I'm a dad. I can't even begin to imagine the unbearable range of emotions that a parent would go through if this were to happen to them.

The film is ripe with moral relativism and you find yourself eventually rooting for Affleck's character to do the right thing even though everything within you may be screaming for revenge and street justice. I'm glad that Ben decided to make the statement that we don't get to decide - God does - and by doing so he really succeeds in making you feel something genuine.

When was the last time a movie actually made you feel emotion? I think any "great" movie has that going for it.

Gritty realism seals the deal here for me. What began as any old kidnapping story becomes something much more visceral and intense. In the end, you admire people for sticking to the core beliefs, values, and convictions.

Out of 5 Ben & Jerry's Ice Creams I give it a 3.

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