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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)

Director: Sidney Lumet

Time Out rating

Average user rating

12 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Sidney Lumet’s latest begins with a sex scene raunchy enough to feel unexpected from this director, who’s now well into his 80s; still more surprising, however, is the deftly played post-coital conversation that follows, which reveals that any assumptions made as to the illicit nature of the relationship on screen were a little premature. That undercutting of expectations is characteristic of a subtle, engrossing film which repeatedly insists that life’s far more messily complicated than we’re generally led to believe by the conventions of mainstream cinema.

The next scene, an almost unbearably tense robbery at a suburban New York jewellery store, is key: not only does it end disastrously, but it’s the starting point for a rewarding investigation into the lives of those affected by the crime, among them brothers Andy and Hank Hanson (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke), their parents Charles and Nanette (Albert Finney and Rosemary Harris), and Andy’s wife Gina (Marisa Tomei). As the narrative flashes back and forth to reveal the pressures, problems, frustrations and tensions affecting these and other characters, not only does the heist come into sharper focus, but a tangled knot of secrets, lies and betrayals unravels. To reveal more would spoil the enjoyment (careful how you read other reviews!); suffice to say that Lumet, scriptwriter Kelly Masterson and an excellent cast ensure that the various characters and relationships soon attain a texture more akin to real life than Hollywood stereotyping, so that the later, more extreme scenes stretch credibility only slightly. Superior fare, packed with insight and suspense.

Author: Geoff Andrew

Time Out London Issue 1951: January 9-15 2008

User reviews of this film

Sean Ellis said...

Posted on May 06 2008 12:15 For me, this film achieves something that's relatively rare in cinema today. It refuses to pander to the audience and to pay off the emotional investment with the usual easy answers and neat resolutions. That feature will alienate those who only feel at home within the comfort zone of the mainstream, but for the rest this is a really tense and absorbing study of a very disfunctional family caving in under the pressures of life in modern America.

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LadyT said...

Posted on Feb 15 2008 13:14 why oh why is this rated 15? great story line and quite enjoyed the flash backs (reminded me a bit of Lost) but should definately be for adults only. Sorry, i'm not one for consistent strong language and promiscuity- ruined the film for me! don't believe 15 year olds need to be subjected to all that either!

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Boysie said...

Posted on Feb 14 2008 22:32 The ending of the film rewards the viewer. Albert Finney is marvellous in this end scene. A daft story, but the overall it is worth sticking with

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sandy said...

Posted on Feb 14 2008 14:46 Really good film, mainly because of the acting. The real suprise for me is Ethan Hawke, an actor I have usually no time for. He gives a masterclass in bricking it all the way through the film. His drunken, anxiety fuelled, breakdown is the best performance I've seen all year. Followed very closely by Hoffman's deeply troubled older brother, a walking time bomb of drugs and repressed emotion. Check the scene in the bar with him punching the table, you know by the end of this film he is going to unleash a tidal wave of fury at someone/something. If you like your thrillers pitch black and hardboiled then this one's for you. (I'm not even going to mention Albert Finney in the last scene! Sweet dreams...)

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critique said...

Posted on Feb 08 2008 22:58 Absorbing tale of the evil that men can do in pursuit of the dirty dollar, littered with unpleasant characters but very competently made.

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Belva said...

Posted on Feb 05 2008 18:46 the film was about as useful as wet toilet paper. it reminded me of making love to my dead gran, it was cold and morally discomforting!!

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Michael said...

Posted on Jan 27 2008 18:58 This is a truly deadful film. It glorifies the need to acquire the Dollar at any cost, to the extent where people would be prepared to kill their own parents or siblings. Because this movie is in the hands of a skilful director, it would almost have you believe that this type of behaviour is 'normal'. Avoid this film at any price and go instead to see the same director's '12 Angry Men'. It is hard to believe his 1957 masterpiece is from the same stable as this shallow work.

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Lucy said...

Posted on Jan 16 2008 10:38 This was the worst film I’ve seen in ages. None of the characters were likeable – they were all ignorant, boring and depressing people. They were the worst stereotype of ungrateful, money-orientated and clueless North Americans. If that was supposed to teach us something about real life, it didn’t. In my experience in life, most people have a lot more character and reason to live than anyone in this film. The scenes were not tense and exciting as some reviews said – I was so bored I nearly walked out but didn’t as I kept hoping it would get better – it didn’t.
As for the title – it is an Irish blessing which is meant to wish someone well, so I don’t really understand how that fits with the film – any ideas?!

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Sutton said...

Posted on Jan 14 2008 13:44 A very good film, superb acting and a warning on how not to carry out a robbery. Hoffman was superb, definetely worth seeing though uncomfortable viewing at times.

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Maz said...

Posted on Jan 14 2008 13:09 I was really disappointed with this film - v weak script and no redeeming moments of brilliance. I would pass if I were you, your money is better spent elsewhere.

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Gregster said...

Posted on Jan 14 2008 10:12 Two hours of intensity and grating moral discomfort in this excellently acted and directed film. Those reviewers who didnt identify with the characters are perhaps younger than the intended audience for this. Burned-out thirty-somethings desparate for a way out of mundane office life should be have no problem with the characters.

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Paul said...

Posted on Jan 12 2008 23:07 A tedious film for me too, despite good cast. Really gave up caring how it would finiish or for the characters. Go see Charlie Wilson instead.

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carl said...

Posted on Jan 12 2008 21:44 Agree completely with your review but must point out that the script is by Kelly Masterson - Michael Cerenzie is one of the producers.
Anyway, excellent film

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Pete said...

Posted on Jan 12 2008 09:04 The old adage - when you're in a hole stop digging - applies in spades to the Hanson brothers who contrive to solve their financial problems by robbing a mom and pop jewel store in an out of the way mall. They undoubtedly choose the wrong store at the wrong time and reap an increasingly depressing turmoil of disasters for their families coupled with heavy collateral damage to anyone vaguely in the vicinity of their outrageous actions. The movie appears painfully devoid of the post-production sexing up of the film as shot - the atmosphere seems all too real and tedious as much of suburban US is in reality. The script is clever and believable in a true lives way but, oh boy - this is a very depressing film.

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Peter said...

Posted on Jan 11 2008 19:11 Excellent!!! You MUST see this film, I was amazed with the feeling you have watching this!

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