FANS OF hard-hitting, page-turning mysteries will know that Dennis Lehane is one of the finest thriller writers of our time. Clint Eastwood made an Oscar-winning film of Mystic River. Now, actor Ben Affleck has directed a stunning, sure-footed adaptation of Gone Baby Gone, creating a film soaked in the atmosphere of working-class Boston and informed by the moral decay of the modern world. This is one of the best Hollywood films of the past year.

The story unfolds around the abduction of a four year-old-girl. Her mother Helene (Amy Ryan) is no saint. She is a foul-mouthed drug addict but her suffering is no less acute. Two days into the case, private detective Patrick (Casey Affleck) and his partner Angie (Michelle Monaghan) are hired to help find the girl.

Patrick is a slight, boyish figure that the cops refuse to take seriously. He does have a knowledge of the area and a steely determination to do the right thing regardless of the personal consequences.

Gone Baby Gone has a carefully structured plot that slowly surrenders its secrets. Affleck maintains such control over mood and pace that you are always absorbed in the moment and never able to second-guess the bigger picture. Even more impressive is the way he focuses on the anguish and doubt of Patrick as he must decide between what his instincts tells him to do and what his heart begs him to change.

The film is brilliantly acted; Casey Affleck beautifully underlines Patrick and Amy Ryan brings such vibrancy to Helene that you sympathise with her almost against your better judgement. Ed Harris as weary cop Remy Bressant and Morgan Freeman as Captain Jack Doyle lend their customary authority to key supporting roles in a film that is complex, compelling and very satisfying.

Nationwide release

Director: Ben Affleck
Cast: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Amy Ryan, Amy Madigan
Screenwriters: Ben Affleck, Aaron Stockard based on the novel by Dennis Lehane
Certificate: 15
Running time: 114 mins
Country: USA
Year: 2007

© Allan Hunter, 2008