From Sandwich Layaway to The Director’s Chair

GONE BABY GONE

Could it really have been ten years ago that I took the red line to Kendall Cinema in Cambridge to see Good Will Hunting? At the time all I knew about that film was that it was shot in Boston, starred Robin Williams, and a couple of local guys my age wrote the screenplay and acted in it. Back then I had just finished my film program at Emerson College and wanted to do exactly what Ben Affleck & Matt Damon had accomplished.

Well . . . the two buddies from Boston went on to Oscars, action films, and superstardom. I moved to Hollywood with my Masters Degree and wrote a bunch of screenplays that caught the attention of nobody. 1997 morphed into 2007, and it seemed I had as good of chance as writing and directing a film as Affleck & Damon.

Neither had written a screenplay, either collaboratively or on their own, since Good Will Hunting. What had happened to them? Sure, Matt Damon’s reputation was pretty solid as an actor. The Talented Mr. Ripley showcased his skills, The Bourne films proved he could be an action hero, and Ocean's 11 demonstrated he was cool.

But Affleck . . . his embarrassments are well documented: Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, Daredevil, and Gigi just to name a few. It just seemed the guy couldn’t make a right career choice. Even when he reunited with the director who brought out his best acting performance (Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy), the result was a disappointment (Jersey Girl).

But if you own the DVD for Good Will Hunting, I urge you to listen to the commentary. When you hear Ben Affleck talk he clearly demonstrates his knowledge of filmmaking. Here’s a guy who not only knows writing and acting, but also speaks intelligently on shot selection and cinematography.

So when the lustrous reviews of Gone Baby Gone started pouring in I wasn’t surprised. He was working off terrific source material (Dennis Lehane’s acclaimed novel), adapted the script himself (he is an Oscar winner), and shot the film entirely in his hometown of Boston.

But this is not the Boston of Good Will Hunting. To borrow the phrase Will says to Sean while they’re staring out at the serenity of The Public Garden lagoon, there are no “Tasters Choice moments”. This film is gritty Dorchester, South Boston and Chelsea. It’s the three decker houses with the chipped paint and barking dogs. It’s the dive bars where the men and women who long ago lost hope go to drink and drug their sorrows away in the afternoon.

The only time we glimpse picturesque Boston is from rooftops and bridges far away from the reality of the movie.

And the reality of “Gone Baby Gone” is harsh. The film’s plot revolves around a kidnapping of a four-year-old girl. There’s also pedophiles and psychopathic drug dealers and a whole lot of people who you spend your whole life trying to avoid.

At the center of all this madness is Patrick Kenzie (played perfectly by Casey Affleck), a small time private investigator who gets this case because he is from the neighborhood. Patrick’s partner is his girlfriend Angie (Michelle Monaghan, who’s eyes express so much depth), and although you don’t get too many personal details of their past you know they are smart, caring individuals who had the integrity to rise above all the degeneracy around them. All they want to do is make a living and be happy together.

In fact Angie doesn’t want to take the case. She says they have a good life, and doesn’t want to be involved in a missing child investigation- where statistics say they normally turn up dead or abused. But Patrick & Angie both know as insiders to the neighborhood they could actually help to rescue little Amanda. They make the decision to sacrifice the safety of their world and enter what will become a nightmare for both of them.

Gone Baby Gone works purely on the level of a crime/detective thriller. There’s mystery, suspense, gunfights and a few scenes that will rival Silence of The Lambs in getting your heart racing. Sure there’s some plot points that might border on the incredulous (true of most films in that genre), but overall the nuts and bolts of the story are grounded in reality and will keep you watching intently.

But this film is so much more than a genre piece. By shooting in these blocks and neighborhoods that nobody outside the area knows much about, Ben Affleck was able to capture the feel of the lower-middle class (the population that makes up much of America). The feel of what it’s like to be born in your hometown and be resigned to live and work there (probably at a tough job) your whole life. And by casting the film with local non-actors (who don’t have to “act” the speech and mannerisms), the authenticity is heightened. You can see it on their faces- most of these people didn’t get many choices.

I grew up not too far from where the action takes place. Lynn, Mass is a cousin to as the economically depressed Dorchester. But luckily I had great parents who provided me with as many choices as I wanted.

And that brings us right to the heart of Gone Baby Gone. In the opening voice-over Patrick says we don’t get to choose much of what defines us- our family and where we’re from. But most of us, especially the people of Boston, take extreme pride in our roots and even feel a sense of accomplishment (even though we had nothing to do with being born there). This pride can either be an asset or a hindrances to your life.

This sets up beautifully the ending of the film, where Patrick has an enormous decision to make. One that is morally ambiguous and will cause pain no matter which side he takes (I can’t spoil it by mentioning specifics). While Patrick struggles with the decision the audience gets to participate with him. But whether or not you agree with the resolution, you’re bonded with the characters and story in a way that happens rarely.

Gone Baby Gone could be the best film I’ve seen all year. Possibly Zodiac was technically better and The Darjeeling Limited more entertaining, but Ben Affleck has created something special. Let’s hope his next writing and directing project doesn’t take another decade.