Director: Sidney Lumet
Writer: Kelly Masterson
Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller
Story
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead is a harsh look at two brothers and how they plan to get free from the life they know. Andrew ‘Andy’ Hanson (Philip Seymour Hoffman) comes up with a plan to rob his parents jewelry store make out with plenty of cash to start a new life. He has his brother Henry ‘Hank’ Hanson (Ethan Hawke) actually commit the crime so that he does not have to get his hands dirty. When the burglary goes awry and the family starts to fall apart, the father Charles Hanson (Albert Finney) has to seek vengeance on the perpetrator even if it turns out t be his own sons.
Everything Else
Before the Devil runs in a nonlinear format for at least the first half of the movie and then slowing settles into a linear story. This seems to be a very popular form for psychological thrillers after such movies as Memento, but it works well and provides enough excitement to get you interested from the start. The story pans out and flows well even though it seems a little confusing at times with all of the cutting back and forth. Character interactions felt great and added to the natural and eerie real feel of the film.
The acting on all parts was quite good. We have come to expect great performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman these days, but he certainly does not disappoint with this one. He yet again provides an incredible performance in a dark and troubled character. Ethan Hawke is more of an on again off again sort of actor; although he usually does a good job, he does not make the stand out performances like Hoffman. He did quite well in Before the Devil though. Albert Finney plays the father who is faced with a terrible realization and is forced to make some tough decisions because of his son’s actions. Finney is a strong supporting actor in this. Marisa Tomei (Andy’s wife Gina Hanson) is the only star actress that does not seem to add a whole lot to the film. Although the conflict between her, her husband Andy, and brother in-law Hank is essential to heightening the tension in the film, Tomei does not get the screen time or provide the performance to really produce anything remarkable.
The Real Deal
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead ended up being better than I thought it was going to be and made notice the director (Sidney Lumet) a little more. In fact I was so impressed with the film that I decided almost immediately after looking up Sidney Lumet on imdb that it would be great to have a Sidney Lumet Movie Month. Before the Devil is not for everyone I am sure (especially with its rough around the edges style), but the talent of all of those involved made this one standout as a great film that has not gotten the attention it deserves. It seems this is how a lot of Sidney Lumet’s films are, but we will find out in July how good they really are.
The Short Version
Raw Score: 807,923
Sharon Movie? No
6/27/2008
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)
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3 comments:
I love the look and feel of this one, and especially the music. I disagree about Marisa Tomei though. I think her boobs added a lot to the film.
I have seen Marisa Tomei in a few movies lately and it is a sad trend she seems to continue throughout the movies she is in. It does not make her seem like a serious actress, but she is actually quite good at acting. She just didn't really get the screen time here.
Dan Patrick gave this movie two thumbs up. the lead actors alone make this one a movie to check out probably. Maybe I'll get around to watching it some day.
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