And for all Goodman's admirable low-rent realism, What Doesn't Kill You doesn't try very hard to impress. Goodman resists the temptation to glamorize or sentimentalize his upbringing, to the extent that his film risks grinding viewers down.
Because it's steeped in the language and ethos of recovery, What Doesn't Kill You dwells on its heroes' duplicity. There is much foul language and violence and depicted drug use.
A married couple is engaged in sexual relations onscreen. Ultimately, though, Brian makes a better choice and faces life in reality, choosing the path laid out by AA of one day at a time. His sponsor says that at first it did the same to him. But, as Roger Ebert always says, it's not what it's about but how it's about it. As happens to all too many in that area, they eventually turn to a life of petty crime, as a means to scrape by. While Paulie is a wild-eyed and somewhat hardened criminal, Brian is attempting to make a life that includes his wife Amanda Peet and their children.
However, set backs and unexpected developments threaten to derail Brian's attempt to leave the life behind and earn the respect of his children. For the last several years, he's excelled at grounding the various romantic comedies he's starred in, be they good 13 Going On 30 or bad Rumor Has It.
His general dramatic work has given an extra shot of credibility to otherwise fine pictures Zodiac, You Can Count On Me. He is one of the few actors that automatically makes a movie better just by appearing in it. This is the closest thing he's had to star vehicle and he does not waste the opportunity.
This is an Oscar worthy performance and one of the very best of the year. This is not to say that the rest of the cast does not hold up. At the second, the special, gentle form of poetry of life becomes essential. For discover yourself front to fundamental questions. A film about solitude and about the great options. And about courage to be yourself.
Splendid performances, lovely story. Prismark10 31 January The story begins as a heist is carried out and Paulie goes to shoot at an off duty cop. We then have flashbacks of Brain and Paulie. Both do low level jobs and come to the attention of a local gangster for who they do some errands for. Brian who is married with kids becomes a liability with drug addiction and a volatile temper, he makes an enemy of a local cop who has a vendetta against him and his marriage is strained. We then see both Brian and Paulie doing time in jail as Brian deals with his drug addiction and when they are released Brian attempts to go straight but Paulie wants both of them to pull one big job.
This is a stale derivative film that tries to be moody and gritty. The characters are unlikeable, you really couldn't care less if they try to put their lives back on track. The material is just weak, episodic and uneven. Only one twist at the end gives it at least some distinction from similar types of ex-cons going straight films. Didn't get into it Gordon 5 January It is a film with big stars, but I didn't get into the story or the characters.
Brian Goodman directs, writes and stars in this crime drama. Brian Mark Ruffalo and his best friend Paulie Ethan Hawke are two buds that grew up like brothers in the streets of Boston's underbelly of the 'south side'.
Learning to live by the criminal code as street thugs, the duo's petty crimes started to grow into more serious misdemeanors. They finally stumble on that 'step-up' into organized crime under the watchful eye of crime boss Pat Kelly Goodman. The two hone their skills, but clamor for the big bucks. Soon Brian grows weary of disappointing his wife Amanda Peet and his growing sons; losing his identity in drugs and dirty deeds.
Paulie just wants to become his own man and keep more money in his pockets. Finally circumstances get dire and the two friends must make a big choice in which direction life will take them.
Paulie and Brian, two would be wise guys living in South Boston, are seen as teenagers working on petty deals for the area's boss, Pat Kelly. They just act as gofers, while learning their profession. The two grow up into full time criminals. Paulie is the strongest of the two. Brian, who marries his sweetheart, Stacy, is more of a follower.
There is a strong bond between these two men. Pursuing a career in crime did not come easy for the duo. When Brian turns into drugs, he begins a spiral road that will get him and his partner in jail for something that goes wrong; they must pay for what they did. In prison, Brian meets Sully, a former alcoholic, who is now an advocate for staying clean and sober. Trying to get even with a pedophile, both men get into a lot of trouble just a few days before they are to be released.
Paulie, knowing Brian needs to go home to his family takes the blame and stays behind for his bad conduct. Paulie has always been dead set against trying to rob armored vehicles. The way he figures, it is a crime that must be done in daylight, the odds are against the perpetrators, so he stays clear away from this type of action.
Brian, now a free man, suffers from a lack of a job, not being able to make ends meet for Stacy and his sons. When Paulie proposes for him to go along, the allure of money weighs heavily on his situation, but he reckons, at last, his family is worth more to him now than whatever he can get out of the deal. This is an interesting crime film directed by Brian Goodman, an actor that is making his debut with the film. Goodman also wrote the screenplay with Donnie Wahlberg and Paul Murray, which we are told is based on a true story.
The Boston in which the story takes place is in the middle of a bad winter making it look bleak and miserable just to be out on those snowed streets.
What Mr. Goodman accomplished was an ensemble piece which does not disappoint, in spite of minor flaws that can easily be overlooked. Chris Norr, the cinematographer takes us to places that movies do not dare to go. The incidental music is by Alex Wurman. Ethan Hawke and Mark Ruffalo match one another perfectly. It is clear to see the bond Paulie and Brian had all their lives.
Hawke has the flashier part as Paulie, but do not be too hasty to discard Mr. Ruffalo's contribution to the film with his take on Brian. Ruffalo proves why he is one of the best actors of his generation, bar none.
Amanda Peet has a good opportunity to shine with her Stacy. There are surprises in the supporting roles, Mr. Goodman, the director, being one of them as the crime boss Pat Kelly. Will Lyman is also excellent as Sully, the man that wants to sincerely help Brian find his way, and Donnie Wahlberg is seen as a detective that knows what Paulie and Brian are made of. CinemaSerf 10 July Nothing much original here - three men from the wrong side of the tracks in Boston rob an armoured truck.
In the midst of this, they get caught up in a shoot out with police and the film tells us via retrospective just how they got into this mess.
It's based on real people, but the evolution from small time runners for the local kingpin to our final van heist is nothing we haven't seen before and not really that interesting - tales of hardship; love; trust; betrayal, drink, demons etc If I had to pick one out, Ruffalo probably has the better - certainly more redeemable part, but in the end they are just not a very interesting characters - real or otherwise.
Story of two guys from Boston. Both are petty criminals on the low end of the Boston crime organizations. As they try to make a human wage, both have to deal with their demons. When one decides to try for one last score the other has to decide whether to go along. Well acted and well made examination of the effects of crime on the criminals and their family. Stars Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke are excellent as the two friends who are trying to just get ahead.
This is a real slice of life film based it says on a true story that makes you feel as though you are in and around the suburbs of Boston.
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