Review of What Doesn't Kill You (2014) by Ceph J — 04 May 2009

We work 40-hour office jobs and read about all these high-flying criminals so wonder what's it like to rob banks and live life in the fast lane. Is it worth it? Judging by excellent crime movies like "Goofellas," "Heat," and "Dog Day Afternoon," the answer is no. Hollywood tells us we'll die young and never live long enough to get SS checks, stock dividends, or reap the benefits of a 401K.

This movie has one of the worst titles "What Doesn't Kill You" and even after watching it, I have no idea why it has this B movie title. The title and scant Box Office might leave it ignored on the DVD shelf. It's actually a good but grim movie based on the life of director Brian Goodman who paid his dues in prison. The movie is very well acted by Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke. I love the way Mark Ruffalo dives into the role and gets into the skin of the character. He's a very natural actor and his acting is real the way that Marlon Brando was early in his career.

There are minuses. The structure of the story is confusing; it starts with a robbery and gets into flashbacks. Amanda Peets is wasted as the wife--she's such a beautiful and interesting actress that I wanted to see more of her. The cinematography is too dark, it works for the depressing theme with the New England snow in the background but there's no reason for us to squint our eyes while watching. Some of the dialogue is just movie people talking. Not a great movie but good enough to affirm that an office job is much less complicated. Thanks...