Gone Baby Gone

In it's initial setup, Affleck's "Gone Baby Gone" inevitably steps into an all too familiar territory with police officials baffled by the abduction of a four year old girl. Just when we think we've rented another sleeper, the script sweeps audiences into a series of endless twists and turns all the while presenting a series of dynamically developed characters who's lives are far from typical. Affleck uses this to his advantage, tying the issues our characters face in with the excruciating environment of a crime-filled Boston.

From the opening credits to the closing, Casey Affleck provides a compelling voiceover that works along side the events that unravel. He portrays a young private investigator, Patrick, who's hired along side his girlfriend/associate to track down the missing child. With the mother (played by the vastly convincing Amy Ryan) being of little help, the two learn just how difficult working alongside law enforcement can be. Patrick finds few answers within the child's immediately family thus he's forced to reckon with old friends who earn their money one crime at a time. As he digs deeper into the mystery, he slowly but surely learns that not everyone is who they appear to be.

Also giving in turns worth mentioning are Hollywood veterans Morgan Freeman, as the captain of the police department, and Ed Harris, as a detective who's as dedicated to the case as Patrick. Even the film's less significant characters are played out to their fullest.

Going into this motion picture, my expectations were uncertain. Sure, Ben Affleck is an Academy Award winning screenwriter ("Good Will Hunting"), but having seen his most recent choices of work in regards to his acting, I'm almost certain I'm not the only one asking myself: "Can this guy direct?" Fortunately, Affleck has proven he's got a successful career as a director in store for him and it's only right for me to state such talent for the industry runs in the family as Casey Affleck snatches the picture, delivering an unforgettable performance that damn well may win him an Academy Award nomination at the very least.

The most important element and obviously what moves the film along is the script. The dialogue is rich and the transitions between the scenes are remarkably sewn together. Also interlaced in the film is the vivid imagery that captures the gritty atmosphere of the Boston's inner-city as well as the breathtaking landscapes that surround it.

"Gone Baby Gone" is magnificent! A masterful work of art displaying a cast and crew willing to take chances and when the final credits roll, audiences can say the following phrase that is rarely spoken at this day in age: "Wow, that was a great film!"