Gone Baby Gone (2007)

Directed by: Ben Affleck | 115 minutes | drama, thriller | Actors: Casey Affleck, Karen Ahern, Carla Antonino, John Ashton, Whitney Avalon, John Belche, Mary Bounphasaysonh, Eamon Brooks, Cathie Callanan, Paula Chleboski, Terry Conforti, Fanshen Cox, Peter Crafts, Andy Dawson, William DeCoff, Aidan Demarest, Elizabeth Dings, Joseph Flaherty, Morgan Freeman, Edi Gathegi, Jay Giannone, Kippy Goldfarb, Trudi Goodman, Ed Harris, Cameron Henry, Peg Holzemer, Peg Saurman Holzemer, Paul Horn, Devon Jencks, John Joyce, Tom Kemp, Chelsea Ladd, Jimmy LeBlanc, William Lee, Amy Madigan, Matthew Maher, Josh Marchette, Mark Margolis, Allyssa Maurice, Michelle Monaghan, Madeline O’Brien, Patrick Pitu, Dale Place, Matt Podolske, Michele Proude, Alan Resnic, Ronald Riccioli, Osmani Rodriguez, Amy Ryan, Kasey Ryan, Brian Scannell, Patrick Shea, Billy Silvia, Rich Skinner, Slaine, Chuck Slavin, Gary Tanguay, Joey Vacchio, Robert Wahlberg, Titus Welliver, Lewis D. Wheeler, Michael K. Williams, Michael Yebba

The kidnapped girl in ‘Gone Baby Gone’ looks suspiciously like ‘Maddie’, the missing British girl that the whole world is talking about. And the story also shows certain similarities, such as the appearance of these girls and the fact that they were both kidnapped from their familiar environment. However, these similarities are purely coincidental. This film is not about Madeleine McCann, but about Amanda McCready, who coincidentally is also called Madeline in real life. ‘Gone Baby Gone’ is Ben Affleck’s directorial debut, making it clear that he also has a talent for working behind the camera. In any case, he does not have to complain about the lack of publicity for his film. But also apart from the whole thing surrounding Maddie, this film certainly deserves the attention of the public.

‘Gone Baby Gone’ has a strong plot. The tension is built up well and as a viewer you are completely sucked into the story. And if the film seems to end after half an hour because they think Amanda is dead and give up the search for good, there is still a glimmer of hope. Please let her live! Nothing is more honest and innocent than a small child. And someone who hurts them has no heart and needs to be dealt with severely. A film about child molesters or child murderers is a dangerous subject. People feel involved and therefore empathize more with the actors than with other films. The danger is that people will empathize too much and that the course of the story may not quite agree with the hopes and thoughts of the viewers. Fortunately, Ben Affleck knows exactly how to get the audience on board. Patrick and Angie set out to catch the child killers. They devote their entire lives to their role as private investigators in the investigation of Amanda, winning the sympathy of the public.

A downside to the film is that Affleck has chosen to give the lead role to his brother Casey, who incidentally looks just like him but has less acting talent than his big brother. There had been better actors for this role. Furthermore, Michelle Monaghan’s role as Angie is a bit unclear. Why has this role not been explored in depth? Only at the end of the film does Angie play an important role in the course of the story as Patrick (Casey Affleck) has to choose between her and his principles. Furthermore, Angie does not do more than a little behind Patrick throughout the film and stands by his side to complete the beautiful picture. Because a Hollywood film must of course have a female lead, even if it adds little to the story.

Despite these points, Ben Affleck’s directorial debut is certainly not that bad. It is a film that has everything in it, something for everyone. Action, tension, emotions and a good story. Next time, when casting his lead actors, he should try to look beyond his own family and circle of friends and then director Affleck will be all right.