THINKFilms' Before the Devil Knows You're Dead Photo

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei, Albert Finney, Rosemary Harris

Directed by: Sidney Lumet

RS: 3.5of 4 Stars Average User Rating: 3of 4 Stars

2007 ThinkFilm Drama

Give props to Sidney Lumet. His influence is everywhere. American Gangster is just the kind of film this prince of New York City would have directed in the 1970s. And Tony Gilroy's Michael Clayton owes much to Lumet's Network and The Verdict. So it's a kick that Lumet, 83, puts the younger mavericks to shame with a dynamite film that ranks with the year's best. The topic is a family coming apart. The Hanson brothers, Andy (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Hank (Ethan Hawke), are in debt and at each other's throats. It doesn't help that divorced Hank is banging Andy's wife, Gina (a fireball Marisa Tomei). The desperate boys plan a robbery, just a mom-and-pop jewelry store in a suburban mall. The catch is that it's their mom (Rosemary Harris) and pop (Albert Finney). Working with the startlingly talented new screenwriter Kelly Masterson, Lumet fuses dark wit, suspense and tragedy into a time-shifting movie that vibrates with energy. All the actors are first-rate: Hoffman continues to astonish, Hawke digs deep to create a haunting portrayal of loss. And Lumet's direction dazzles, notably in the robbery scene, when things go wrong and Hank hyperventilates in the getaway car. No way you won't be knocked for a loop.

>>Watch every episode of our weekly Peter Travers video podcast by subscribing via iTunes here (when prompted, click “Launch application”). Every Friday, a new episode featuring clips from the week's newest movies will be delivered to your iTunes. [If you don’t have iTunes, download it here.]

PETER TRAVERS

(Posted: Oct 18, 2007)

Your Turn

Give us your review of
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Review 1 of 3

3of 4 Stars

I agree with both of you, and especially with the mentioning of A simple plan, one of my favorites.
I usually don't think much of Ethan, but he gets an A from me this time. The slow crumbling of Hoffman's character in the end wasn't predictable...and unpredictability in a movie nowadays is truly rare.

May 6, 2008 11:55:42

Review 2 of 3

4of 4 Stars

I couldn't agree more...it is, indeed, one of the best of last year.
Similair to 'A Simple Plan' a few years ago, but abit more shove-it-down-your-throat intense. Great acting, writing and director.
A killer-diller of a movie from start to finish. An easy A!

Apr 26, 2008 08:46:19

Review 3 of 3

3of 4 Stars

Great film, great auteur, amazing performances.
Films like this one renew my faith to American cinematography and it's huge potentials.
Definately this years best so far.

Mar 28, 2008 02:45:22

Previous Next