Since last week I did an old Sidney Lumet gem, I thought this week I would do one of his newer ones. It's Sidney's 2008 effort, Before the devil knows you are dead. BTDKYAD stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney and Marisa Tomei just to mention a few. This movie is a testament of how a simple plot can be lifted into realms of greatness deftly in the masterful hands of director such as Lumet.
It examines the downward spiral of two brothers life after a foiled robbery attempt on their parents jewelery shop in which their mother gets shot. What I like here is the Vantage-Point style story telling where the story is seen through the eyes of everyone involved. What to notice here is Sidney's great camera angle and how each character seems to play out differently just from a different camera angle. Well done! This one point alone lifts it above the garden variety thriller to a classic! I am also a sucker for those Fight Club story rewind scenes which is kinetically done here which really helps to tighten up the story line. I LIKE!
Editing and directing aside the acting here is top notch! Philip and Ethan carry their roles really well and their fear and sense of loss is conveyed well on screen. Albert Finney's character as their father although a bit understated is also very well done. Shades of Miller Crossing's Albert Finney here still shines through and he can still carry that tough guy persona well as he proceeds to open up a can of whoop ass on his sons.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and have no problems giving it a 9.5/10. One of the better movies I a have seen this year!
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A trailer:
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