Live By Night
Ben Affleck wrote, directed and stars in what can only be described as a movie-length selfie. Live By Night had the pedigree of a bestselling book by Dennis Lehane and three commendable previous directorial efforts by Affleck. Unfortunately it still turned out to be a runt.
Set during the post-WWI prohibition era the action takes place in Boston and then Tampa, Florida. Joe Coughlin (Affleck) is a small time criminal whose felonious talent gets him recruited first by an Irish mob leader, then an Italian rival. So begins the parade of caricatures.
The plot laboriously unfolds as a tedious, confusing saga. The dialogue is dull and full of self-righteous aphorisms. Affleck assigns his three leading females (Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana and Elle Fanning) to barely more than plot devices.
Visually, the film is stunning with meticulous and stylish detail. The photography and action sequences are also impressive. But it’s not enough.
Ironically, it is Affleck himself who is most disappointing. His entire range is represented in the promotional stills – square jawed, catalogue model expression, unwrinkled, un-stained white suit. He’s in almost every scene but is just in the way. He’s a photo-bomber in his own movie.
Affleck may want to bury this at the bottom of his resume alongside Pearl Harbor. (RB)
★★
BY RITA BRATOVICH
