Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
uLike - Viewer Movie Reviews
Excellento - HSP
Well it's just my luck to go and watch two movies in the same weekend that have flashback scenes showing different peoples aspects to what has happened (the other movie I saw was "Vantage Point"). Although is this case the flashbacks all tie in nicely to explain exactly with what's going on. Philip Seymour Hoffman & Ethan Hawke play two brothers Andy & Henry who for different reasons are badly in debt. There is absolutely no resemblance between the two so I was half expecting somehere along the line for it to be revealed that they weren't related. Apart from that this is a great movie which kept me interested from start to finish. While both brothers discuss their problems to each other, Andy reveals his plan to solve everything... rob their parents jewellery shop. Henry is reluctant but Andy being the older & dominant sibling convinces him it will work...no guns involved... one old man in the shop... it's a sinch! However Henry gets a friend with experience to do the robbery while he drives the getaway car. Within minutes he hears gunshots & his friend crashes through the door... dead! His mother was also shot and dies a few days later. Their father (Albert Finney) wants to get to the bottom of this does his own detective work to try get some answers. I wasn't convinced by Finney in this at all. He seemed to have the same expression throughout the movie with his mouth half open... almost as if he had an overdose of botox. As the storyline progresses more & more problems arise for the lads. The dead robbers gangster family want 10 grand for their troubles. Andy's wife reveals she is having an affair... with Henry. So with their world collapsing around them I certainly didn't feel sorry for them. After each scene they were deeper & deeper in dogs doo doo. Henry falls to pieces but Andy has one more plan to solve everything... I wasn't sure what was coming next which is exactly how i like it. I wasn't disappointed with the ending & would recommend this great movie to anyone!
Review published on the 31 March 2008 03:32
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More uLike Viewer Reviews
Great performances, decent movie - MB
This is a real actors movie, with 4 (Hoffman, Hawk, Finney and Tomei) being given meaty roles and all excelling. I... MORE
27 March 2008 10:29
Great film but hard work to watch - YvonneG
This a great example of human greed and desperation and what happens when it spirals out of control. I thought this... MORE
21 February 2008 12:44
Is there supposed to be a Template for a good movie? - vinnieq
I don't fully agree with you Mike. I understand your points. But who said anyone was to feel sympathy for these... MORE
14 February 2008 12:07
Hoffman shines in this very good Crime thriller - goodolegill
The film focuses a family of two brothers Hoffman(Andrew Hanson) and Hawke(Hank), brothers who have very different... MORE
17 January 2008 04:35
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