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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Veteran and master filmmaker Sidney Lumet (we would particularly recommend Network and Dog Day Afternoon) directs this melodrama/thriller, from a script by playwright-turned-screenwriter Kelly Masterson. The title comes from an Irish saying, "may you be in heaven half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead"… point being that few of our souls would come up spotless if Mr Satan got the chance to check it out. This is the story of a divided New York family, and two brothers who attempt to pull off a perfect, victimless crime in order to save their monetary woes.

Features a spine tingling cast; Philip Seymour Hoffman is Andy, a frustrated, drug-abusing stockbroker who is unable to please his wife Gina – played by Marisa Tomei. Gina’s lover is Andy’s brother; the broke Hank – played by Ethan Hawk. Albert Finney and Rosemary Harris, the brother’s parents, run a jewelry store.

The crime, a heist from their parents own store, is Andy’s idea and he convinces the timid Hank it’s the only way out of their problems.
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Rating: 4 Flicks Review:

Despite its plain face, the modest Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead still manages to be tense, brutal and shocking. The pervasive depressing tone combines with the slow pace to create a fairly sombre night at the cinema, but it’s a quality night at the cinema nonetheless.

Veteran director Sydney Lumet, now an old man, guides a handful of great actors. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke and Albert Finney all turn in strong performances. They’re scumbags, all of them. Watching them interact brings to mind the tragedy of Macbeth, or Hamlet. It’s not as grand, but it’s a family tragedy populated with awful, intriguing people.

And despite his age, Lumet isn’t going all coy on us. He’s not afraid to open with a full-on sex scene with a sweaty, fat Hoffman. He assaults us with violent, erratic, desperate people, and surprises us with the utterly tragic dysfunctionality of the family.


By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz

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Release date: June 26th 2008.

We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.