Director: Sidney Lumet
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke and Marisa Tomei
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved the appreciation of Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Since his rise to recognition during the 1990’s, Hoffman appeared to be an actor with a bright future in the industry. Whether it be masterful political leaders, tornado wranglers or famous music producers, Hoffman portrayed several strong characters. Hoffman’s strength as an actor was always his strong commitment. He was one of those rare actors that poured his heart and soul into every single role. However, in 2014 Hoffman’s short-lived career came to a sudden closure when he died of a tragic drug overdose disaster. Hoffman’s heartbreaking passing left the world mourning. The death of an actor which people around the world had often admired left the entertainment industry emotionally devastated. In the wake of his dad passing, Hoffman left behind a lasting legacy by making several movies which are definitely worth watching. Throughout his strong career, Hoffman made several unforgettable movies which are worth seeing.
I’m a massive fan of Hoffman and adore all the films that he has made in his career. However, “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” is truly my favourite. Released in 2007, Sidney Lumet’s movie offered a powerful portrait of mobsters facing adversity. Packed with bold production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best mobster movies ever made. At centre of it all is a powerful performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman, who portrays a tense mobster experiencing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” a masterpiece is broad appeal. Unlike most films about monsters, it tackled strong themes that everyone could relate to. An engaging mobster masterpiece, there are countless reasons why “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” is a film worth watching.
“Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” tells the story of mobster brothers that commit crimes to avoid being dead. Philip Seymour Hoffman portrays Andy Hanson, menacing monster that engages in life of crimes causing tension. Andy has always shared a powerful bond with close brother Hank (Ethan Hawke), whom he always admired dearly. However, Andy’s life drastically changes when he becomes involved in robbery causing disaster. As the odds become stacked against his favour, Andy is forced to question if he can be a successful gangster. Faced with a dilemma, Andy questions whether it’s possible to become a gangster in a profession causing trauma. Searching for way out of a profession, Andy questions whether it’s possible to attain recognition.
Sidney Lumet has always been fascinated with tales of crime. A legendary filmmaker, Lumet has often made engaging movies about gangs which face disaster. His iconic movie “Dog Day Afternoon” captured bank robbers seeking to commit crimes over an afternoon. With “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”, however, Lumet made his first gangster movie. It was Lumet’s first attempt to capture the lives of gangsters facing adversity but he succeeded immensely. Through breathtaking cinematography, Lumet captures a pair of brothers engaging in violent crimes causing adversity. Inspired with Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Lumet utilizes handheld camera to capture the broken bonds between brothers facing disaster. For instance, handheld camerawork enhances the mobsters scene. During this engaging scene, Andy first becomes aware that he has committed a bad crime which endure adversity. Using handheld camera, Lumet creates a portrait of gangsters which is compelling. Handheld camerawork is a tricky technique. As Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Boogie Nights” suggested, handheld camera elevates movies about adult actors. However, it works immensely. Through stunning visuals, Lumet captures tension that mobster brothers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” deserving appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Emulating Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas”, Lumet expertly uses costumes to capture lives of gangsters which face dilemmas. Throughout the movie, Andy’s costumes showcase his strong transformation into a gangster carrying a position of authority. For instance, costumes enhance the gangster meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Andy has a tense meeting with gangsters that seek to commit painful crimes causing tension. Through stunning costumes, Lumet creates a strong portrait of gangsters that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is superb. Carter Burwell’s music is key towards the success of the film. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that mobsters bear. Through powerful production, Lumet captures the lives of commemorated gangsters which face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” is a gangster movie that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture the lives of dark gangsters impacted by dark violence. Throughout the movie, Lumet uses sequences of silence to capture lives of gangsters that are impacted by violence. For instance, silence enhances the murder after-math scene. During this unforgettable scene, Andy feels guilt for crimes he has committed which cause tension. Through silence, Lumet creates a portrait of gangsters that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in most films. As Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia” suggested, silence enhances films about loss. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Lumet captures the lives of mobsters facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Philip Seymour Hoffman gives one of his best performances as Andy Hanson. Hoffman first earned appreciation for playing adult actors in coming of age dramas. With “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”, however, the star took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a mobster enduring adversity but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and thoughtful in his most gritty role. Hoffman has often thrived at playing emotional heroes that are under dark pressure, and “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” showcased his strengths as an actor. With strong expressions, Hoffman captures the angst, grief and resentments of a criminal facing tension. It’s a captivating performance from one of the most commemorated actors currently working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Hoffman, the supporting cast is also stellar and deserves praise. Ethan Hawke is excellent, capturing the tension faced by a mobster that engages in a life of crime causing destruction. Marisa Tomei is marvellous, bringing charisma to a woman that has a doomed romantic affair with a gangster that causes a dilemma. Lastly, Albert Finney deserves praise. As a menacing mobster, he brings a sense of authority to the movie.
Finally, “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing gangsters seeking to avoid being dead. Unlike most crime movies, the movie tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes such as identity, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the lives of gangsters to enjoy it. It delivers a meaningful message regarding trauma which would absolutely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” is one of those rare commemorated crime movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Philip Seymour Hoffman would enjoy “Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead” and so would movie-goers which seek heartwarming entertainment. A captivating crime thriller, it honours a legendary actor.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about gangsters in a life of crime that’s devilish, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that managed to accomplish great feats through his abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies which audiences commonly cherish.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 