This movie is almost a completely missed opportunity, aside from a few moments of Affleck's directing, (the water scenes were gorgeous) and some great (if underused) supporting performances, Gleeson, Cooper, Fanning....
The characters seem to speak and act exclusively in cliches, that, coupled with the perfect linen suit Affleck wears at almost all times, and the hilariously bad noir style voice over have the whole movie veering extremely close to parody. It goes over the top in a few instances. The last scene for instance, or the execution at the cigar factory, or the big meet at the construction site. Or the mob meeting and subsequent shootout in the final act, complete with a Scooby Doo style explanation for their ability to turn the tables. Was that Michael Madsen chewing the scenery as 'Digga'? When the Italian Mob guy went 'Thief' on Affleck, it was laughable. Joe Coughlin, a character comprised almost entirely of cliches, is the most boring and near lifeless gangster in a movie that cost over 50 million, and based on a Dennis Lehane novel. He gets a few moments, but for the most part, a very flat, performance. As dead as the maybe 50 bodies that are dispatched in the most poorly staged shootouts I have seen in a theater in awhile. The source material may be better, or may be to blame. I can't see how that many cliches make for an interesting book, but I doubt I'll find out anytime soon.
edit: that was Benny from the Sopranos looking 55 years old
The characters seem to speak and act exclusively in cliches, that, coupled with the perfect linen suit Affleck wears at almost all times, and the hilariously bad noir style voice over have the whole movie veering extremely close to parody. It goes over the top in a few instances. The last scene for instance, or the execution at the cigar factory, or the big meet at the construction site. Or the mob meeting and subsequent shootout in the final act, complete with a Scooby Doo style explanation for their ability to turn the tables. Was that Michael Madsen chewing the scenery as 'Digga'? When the Italian Mob guy went 'Thief' on Affleck, it was laughable. Joe Coughlin, a character comprised almost entirely of cliches, is the most boring and near lifeless gangster in a movie that cost over 50 million, and based on a Dennis Lehane novel. He gets a few moments, but for the most part, a very flat, performance. As dead as the maybe 50 bodies that are dispatched in the most poorly staged shootouts I have seen in a theater in awhile. The source material may be better, or may be to blame. I can't see how that many cliches make for an interesting book, but I doubt I'll find out anytime soon.
edit: that was Benny from the Sopranos looking 55 years old
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way possible...
...and even it was derailed by the ending...
.