Gone Baby Gone

Casey Affleck, take a bow.
Being responsible for holding a movie together and driving it is tough for even thr most experienced actor but in Gone Baby Gone Casey Affleck makes it look easy and absolutely nails it.
Affleck plays private detective Patrick Kenzie in this crime thriller from the author of Mystic River. On the surface this is a simple child abduction story but as you get deeper into it the movie becomes so much more.
Kenzie and his girlfriend Annie (Michelle Monaghan) are hired by the aunt of missing child Amanda to get to the bottom of who stole the little girl.
As they reluctantly, at first, make inquiries they become involved with the police, led by Captain Jack Doyle (the superb Morgan Freeman). As they trade information, Patrick is drawn into the case despite the fact he doesn't look old enough to get involved in such things. (There's a funny moment where he is told to go back to his Harry Potter books).
The always brilliant Ed Harris plays Detective Remy Bressant, a man who despises child abductors and the like and who reluctantly allows Patrick to be involved.
That's enough plot.
The directorial debut of Ben Affleck has a similar feel to his breakthrough flm Good Will Hunting in which Casey also featured. He probably could have had anyone play Patrick but his little brother is a revelation as the devout Catholic PI with a faith, a conscience and a soul - and all three get severely tested as the film turns in surprising directions.
I don't want to go on too much but Casey Affleck is captivating, honest, natural and engaging in his first serious leading role. It won't be his last. It's a crime that he was overlooked for an Oscar nomination, in my view he acted Amy Ryan, who was nominated for playing the child's mother Helene, off the planet.
Brilliant film, amazing performance from both Casey and Ben Affleck and deserving of a 9 out of 10.