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for larger version       Ads have a Patent Pending. Click Here for More Information 'Before The Devil Knows You're Dead' - Sidney Shines In The Dark
It is the work of a master dancing at dizzying heights, but maintaining complete control. Written by playwright, first-time screenwriter Kelly Masterson, the film takes us deep into the dark heart of pure evil, as two brothers scheme to rob their parents' strip-mall jewelry store. Quickly becoming the devil's playthings, the siblings make every mistake conceivable, with results so tragic that Oedipus would be shocked. A real estate accountant with an expensive drug addiction, Andy Hanson (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is desperately in need of cash. His "baby" brother, Hank (Ethan Hawke) is also drowning in debt and way behind on child support. Andy concocts a "surefire" plan to knock off Mom and Dad's shop, without personal repercussions, because insurance will satisfy any loss.
Strategically designed, the story retells itself in and out of time, from different points of view, building tension and clarity, as the dramatic deck of cards tumbles into oblivion. At no point does Lumet let confusion obscure the narrative. The acting embers are stoked far beyond the boiling point. Hoffman, Hawke and Albert Finney as the father convey family dysfunction of mammoth proportions. It's a Eugene O'Neill world that Lumet knows well, having successfully brought "Long Day's Journey Into Night" to the screen in 1962. This is a movie not to be missed, where even lesser roles are played to perfection, in particular that of Gina by an ultra-hot Marisa Tomei, as the wife of Andy and Hank's secret mistress.
Maybe he'll win his second lifetime achievement Oscar.
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