Mixed results from master pens to big screen

by LES EVERETT

TWO movies about to hit Australian screens have quite a bit in common. Each stems from the work of a master crime fiction writer. Street Kings is based on a novel by James Ellroy and Gone Baby Gone on the fourth in Dennis Lehane's series featuring PI duo Patrick Kenzie and Angie Genarro.

The films are similar in theme - based, as least in part, on the idea some crooks are so bad they can't be handled within the boundaries of the normal justice system.

In other words the only way to correct 'em is to kill 'em. Just who should be handing out the rough justice is, of course, problematic and bent cops abound in both films.

LAPD officer Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves) is the man in Street Kings. He's prepared to do things others won't and that makes him popular with his chief (Forest Whitaker) and in the eye of an ever-present corruption-watch figure (Hugh Laurie).

It's hard to believe this has any connection to the pen of Ellroy - it's unsubtle, implausible and, as things begin to fall into place late in the film, laughable. Full credit must be paid to Reeves who remains unblemished as Ludlow despite being shot, kicked and belted as he goes about his work.

Gone Baby Gone is more successful. The PI duo is reluctantly drawn into the disappearance of a four-year-old girl in their tough Boston neighbourhood. Kenzie is played by Casey Affleck, whose brother Ben directed the film, and the impressive Michelle Monaghan is Genarro. Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris play cops who may or may not turn out to be good guys.

The story twists and turns in unexpected ways and will leave you thinking about right and wrong and justice and retribution.

Footy note: It might be just me but Casey Affleck seems to bear an uncanny resemblance to Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd.

16 April 2008

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Casey Affleck in Gone Baby Gone.

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