Director: Sidney Lumet
Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 117
minutes
Year:
2007
Starring: Philip
Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney, Marisa Tomei, Rosemary Harris,
Michael Shannon, Amy Ryan
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 35: A CRIME THRILLER
Description: When two
brothers (Philip Seymour Hofman, Ethan Hawke) organize the robbery of their parents’
jewelry store the job goes horribly wrong, triggering a series of events that
sends them, their father (Albert Finney) and one brother’s wife (Marisa Tomei)
barreling towards a shattering climax.
Review: Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke play two brothers in need of
money. Hoffman’s Andy seems successful, but is struggling financially due to
his drug addiction, among other things, while Hawke’s Hank can’t afford the
alimony for his ex-wife and daughter. They decided to rob a small jewelry
store. Not to mention that this store is owned by their own parents. Andy is
the brains behind the operations and Hanks has to carry out the plan. Of course,
this plan goes horribly wrong and only gets worse later.
It's a simple story and the
details aren’t complicated either. But director Sidney Lumet decided to change
the structure of the story. We are only following one character at a time, and
go back in time to see the perspective of the other brother. I think this is
what makes this movie better. There is no reason for using this structure, but
I think it really adds to the story of the film. Otherwise, it would be pretty
standard.
The performances are very
good. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke both do a great job in their
respective roles. The same goes for Albert Finney, who has a smaller role as
their father. Marisa Tomei is a fantastic actress, but is demoted to a side
character that seems to only be there as the beautiful wife that shows her
boobs a bit too often. Tomei is underused and misused in this film, that was a big
problem for me. Because she is so much more than this.
“Before the Devils Knows You’re
Dead” is a strong crime thriller, with a cool storytelling structure.
Rating: 3,5/
5
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