Just ahead of films jostling for the Oscars comes one the makers probably thought would have been a contender too. After the success of Argo, Benn Affleck’s sweeping period gangster story must have seemed a shoe-in for many categories. However, a poor critical reaction and really disappointing box office returns in the US means it is completely out of the running.
As well as directing, Affleck stars as Joe Coughlin, a small-time criminal in 1920’s Boston. Trying to avoid working for either Irish or Italian gangs that dominate the crime scene in the city, his luck runs out when his girlfriend, Emma (Sienna Miller) betrays him to her other boyfriend – the evil Irish gangster Albert White (Robert Glenister) – and a bank robbery he is involved with goes badly wrong. Following a stint in prison he decides to get revenge against White by working for his rival, Maso Pescatore (Remo Girone). Sent to Florida to run the illicit rum making and distribution part of Pescatore’s empire things go well for Joe to start with, but that success comes under threat in unexpected ways.
My main criticism of the film is that it lacks originality. Presented by Warner Brothers, the studio that brought us so many great gangster films of the 30’s and 40’s and it can’t match up to those, not the more recent movies it nods to, such as The Godfather or even the overrated Scarface remake. The rise and fall of a hoodlum is a story that has been told many times before, often with memorable endings (“Look ma, top of the world”) but Live By Night is a film that doesn’t know when to end. There seemed to be four perfectly acceptable endings before it limped to a conclusion. The other main problem is in the lead performances. Affleck, who seemed to be improving of late is back to being a bit too wooden, Zoe Saldana makes little impression as Joe’s Florida based girlfriend, and Miller’s Oirish accent really grates.
However, there are enough things to like too. The period detail is good and Robert Richardson’s cinematography is award-worthy. Affleck again proves to be a better director than actor, as despite the predictability, he keeps the story moving along pretty well. There are two very impressive set pieces: a car chase at the start of the film and a shoot out in a hotel towards the end and one scene set for classic status in this genre – a meeting at a cigar factory. The supporting performances outshine the leads. Chris Cooper, as the police chief, is always good value and Elle Fanning as his daughter is excellent, who threatens to bring Joe down. Best of all is Matthew Maher as Cooper’s crazed brother-in-law.
So, not as bad as you might have heard…
Rating 6.5 out of 10