Review of What Doesn't Kill You (2008) by Lee P — 11 Jul 2009

I'll admit to suffering from a little "Southie" film fatigue recently and not giving this film more of a chance as it began. But by the conclusion, writer/director Brian Goodman (whose life the film is based on) and writer Donnie NKOTB Wahlberg actually steer away from most of my preconceptions and serve up a very gritty, dirty film steeped in stark realism and bleak colors.

If anything is the slightest bit audacious in the film, its the editing, and only because of the unconventional choices made. Several important scenes last all of 5 seconds before cutting to the next time and place.

Ruffalo and Hawke are both especially good here, too. Is it a story we've seen before? Yes. And while I'm not sure this film had any business being as good as it turned out, I definitely have to admit it exceeded my expectations.