Before The Devil Knows You're Dead

"May you spend half an hour in heaven...Before the Devil knows you're dead"

This quote is shown near the beginning of the movie, and besides just being cool, it actually does ring true later in the final act. At first glance, this is the story of a heist gone wrong. Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Andy) and Ethan Hawke (Hank) play brothers, both desperate for money, who decide to rip off their parent's jewellery store. Not too far into the film we discover that it's more about how an act of betrayal tears a family apart. In fact each of the main characters belonging to this family are slowly destroyed from the inside. Their morals begin to slide. And we get to watch as Andy simply becomes unravelled. Hawke is outstanding and proves once again he is better suited for a supporting role alongside a great actor, it seems to raise his game (think Training Day with Denzel's Oscar winning role). The great actor in this case is of course Hoffman, who actually has one of his very best performances here. The character of Andy at one point explains how he isn't "the sum of his parts" and that he doesn't "add up". We actually get to see this in action in various scenes where something is certainly wrong beneath the surface. Albert Finney is great as the father, who's role becomes very important in the film's second half. From the opening moments to the end credits, "Before the Devil..." sets an indescribable tone. It leaves you feeling hollow and disappointed (not in the movie itself but with the character's actions). In fact, although not in a traditional or enjoyable way, this may be the most emotionally affecting movie this year. It's very hard to explain unless you see it yourself. Which you should. Immediately. Directed by 83 year old Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon), "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" is an expertly shot, superbly acted powerhouse of a film.


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