"Gone, Baby, Gone" Movie - Let's discuss the ending!

[Teensy]

Obviously, you should not be reading this thread if you haven't seen the movie and don't want to know how if ends. So if that is the case, go ahead, use that back button now . . .



















Okay.

If you've seen the movie, I have a few questions for you.

1. Did Patrick do the right thing in calling the police when he found Amanda with the chief? Or was the partner/girlfriend right to insist she should be left with the chief and his wife?

2. I got a little confused at the conclusion - was the brother-in-law and the officer trying to get the money as the main motivation, and helping Amanda was secondary, or was helping Amanda the main motivation? Or did they just want to take Cheese down? I wasn't sure what started the whole abduction plot.

3. Did you like the movie? I thought it was really good, but I hesitate to recommend it because I'm not sure if it is for everyone.

[AuntNi]

I thought this movie was so well-done - kudos to Ben Affleck!

I read all these Dennis Lehane books, so my opinions are probably mostly formed by that.

1. When I read the book, I thought Patrick was wrong to send Amanda back to her mom. Dennis Lehane didn't explain his reasoning at all, if I remember correctly. But based on Patrick's speech to Morgan Freeman in the movie, I can see why he did it. And as an AP mom who makes non-mainstream parenting choices myself, I think it's a really slippery slope to have individuals deciding where kids would be better off, without a proper investigation. But so many lives ruined to take that girl back to her wreck of a mother!

2. Again from the book, I think the BIL and Ed Harris did remove Amanda for her own good.

3. I really liked the movie. Knowing the end, I was already bawling at the beginning. You're right - it's not for everyone.

I lived in Quincy, MA for a couple years, and sang at a church in Dorchester, the neighborhood where the movie takes place. I was pleasantly surprised by Casey Affleck's performance, and I loved all the local flavor.

If you liked the movie, I highly recommend all the books. They start with "A Drink Before The War."