Review of Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007) by Dfg S — 27 Aug 2009

This movie is quite amazing. I feel for it because there are both many negative and very positive reviews about this film. Basically, you need to be able to see humanity for what it is, and that is often times quite ugly. Many of the negative reviews about this mention that it is negative and doesn't give an accurate depiction of people and human nature. Actually, this is the most realisitc and on-target view of people. And as for negativity, some of the best movies are ones that show bad things happening, not good.

The two biggest themes in this movie are 1. Chaos, and 2. Escalation. Things go from bad to worse to God-awful and it is beautiful every second. To understand this film you need tobe able to put yourself in the characters shoes, and yes this film is realistic 100%. The paranoid rampage that unfolds at the end when the two protagonists try to clean everything up is so brutal yet completely understanding. They don't go through easy choices.

Cast wise this film is top notch. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is lovable yet still a bastard. Ethan Hawke is great as well and Albert Finney is perfect. As well as Marisa Tomei although her role is slightly underdeveloped.

The only complaint whatsoever, and it is a big one- Having Phillip Seymour Hoffman's character get shot right as he was about to kill Ethan Hawke was very cliched. But still a fabulous movie. Great writing and directing. Also enjoyed the non-chronological order. 4 out of 4 stars.