Review of Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007) by Douglas E — 08 Jun 2009
Overlooked upon it's theatrical release, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is a film I whole-heartedly recommend you pick up on DVD. The entire production oozes class; directed by Sidney Lumet (still making brilliant films at the ripe old age of 84) and starring a dream cast of Phillip Seymour Hoffman (when have you ever seen a bad Phillip Seymour Hoffman performance?), Ethan Hawke, Maris Tomei and Albert Finney.
A plot premise that, on face value, could seem a little cliched and hackneyed, two brothers plan a robbery that inevitably goes wrong, becomes so so much more. This is down to a truly fantastic debut screenplay from Kelly Masterson (look out for that name in the future), assured, audacious and accomplished direction from Lumet and the kind of classy performances you'd expect from Hoffman, Hawke, Finney et al.
Using a bold non-linear structure, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is a brilliantly constructed, often bleak but completely engrossing, engaging and entertaining film, a quality of which is hard to find in Hollywood.
Just Brilliant.
This review of Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007) was written by Douglas E on 08 Jun 2009.
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead has generally received very positive reviews.
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