Though set in Boston, “Gone Baby Gone” doesn’t take place amidst the recognizable skyscrapers that line the financial district, or the cozy confines of historic Fenway Park.
Rather, the 2007 neo-noir style thriller, dives into the rough underbelly of the hard streets in Dorchester, effectively adding the city itself as a primary character to the film.
“Gone Baby Gone” was created by Ben Affleck in his directorial debut, and stars his younger brother Casey. The Brothers’ Affleck each demonstrate their respective talents in the on screen/off screen roles. Ben, star of such blockbusters as “Pearl Harbor” and “Good Will Hunting,” goes behind the scenes as writer and director. The Boston raised Affleck loves his city, and has no problems showcasing equally its immense beauty and its darker sides to the viewer.
Likewise Casey Affleck, star of “Manchester by the Sea” is a perfect character as a typical South Boston guy. Affleck plays Patrick Kenzie, a private investigator who uses his street connections to go places the police can’t get. Patrick is a typical neighborhood guy that grew up on the streets, and has a certain pride in being from the city, even though that isn’t anything he accomplished. 
Dorchester itself is an old neighborhood, and the visuals are stunning. Run down brick layered houses and old paved streets have character in their own, and glimpses of each in every scene tell a story.
As we’ve seen in films like “The Boondock Saints,” silence among the people of Dorchester is key to survival. Boston pride runs strong, and the neighborhood feel showcases its true nature as a big city that’s really just a small town.
The movie opens with a slow-moving police investigation into the whereabouts of a missing girl. It’s a big deal with the local media, and the child’s less-than-stellar family enlists the help of Patrick to turn over the crooked stones of the town and help find her.
Amy Ryan plays Helen McCready, the mother of the missing girl, and earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress as a result. Ryan oozes deplorable in the portrayal; a drug addicted selfish young woman who seems more interested in the spotlight of the news media than actually finding her child.
Along with Ryan we have veteran actors Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris as various police detectives, and the great Titus Welliver as the blue collar brother of Helen. The breathtaking Michelle Monaghan (“Source Code“) plays alongside Affleck as love interest/partner Angie Gennaro.
While the first half of the film is slow moving and heavily based on dialogue and character development, the concluding act offers a handful of thrills that spice things up nicely. It has the stylist elements of a film like “Se7en,” and is equally similar in its visuals.
Partnering with the city, the cast is what makes “Gone Baby Gone” work. Each actor has a personal feel to them. We know Patrick Kenzie is a local guy with a big chip on his shoulder, and Angie Gennaro has a strong desire to find the missing girl, with a scornful eye turned towards Helen. Each character comes off as a natural choice for the part they are playing. “Half the guys I know are degenerates.” Patrick says at one point. “The other half are cops. Don’t hold it against me.”
The real winner is Ben Affleck, who mixes a perfect blend of visuals and scenery to bring the city of Boston to life, and specifically the tough Dorchester neighborhood. Affleck has since directed films such as “The Town” and “Argo” and is proving he is a capable force both in front of and behind the camera.
“Gone Baby Gone” is a standard police thriller with some artistic elements that make it a good movie to watch.
by – Matt DeCristo
