Gone, baby, gone

We had a lovely time with the boy's mum. We did a whole host of things that we'd never normally do (when the alternative option is normally to go to the pub). We drove across to Windsor Castle to check out the royal memorabelia - walked on high bridges at Kew - and had lunches in small countryside towns.

But my favourite night was when all the activities were exhasuted, and we opted for a big pizza, a bottle of wine and movie night.

Probably because it meant that I got to watch Gone Baby Gone - Ben Affleck's directorial debut. Hurrah.

I'm a huge Affleck fan. Yeah, ok, I know his career's had some low points (don't want to bang on about Gigli too much) and his acting skills have been called into question on a huge scale. But when in his comfort zone, I think he's bloody brilliant. Check him out in any of Kevin Smith's films (Kevin says the best way to get a good performance out of Affleck is to write parts that essentially capture his personality) - and he's funny, engaging and smart.

As a director I think that Ben's really come into his own. And Gone Baby Gone's well worth a watch.

Probably the smartest thing Affleck did was surround himself with some great talent: cinematographer John Toll shot 'The Thin Red Line' and 'Braveheart'; and editor William Goldenberg enjoyed great success on Michael Mann's movies. And the talent pays off - the movie looks great.

He's also capitalised on his local knowledge - and features his and Matt Damon's hometown of Boston. And it's clear he's at home here. He captures both the nightmare of living in drug addled parts of the town - and the aggressive pride that comes with it.

But the best thing, for me, about the flick is the way it questions the audience at every turn. I won't spoil the plot for you, lovely reader(s), but the twists and turns in the story make you question what's ethically right and wrong (whichever side of the debate you sit on) - and then whether there really is a right...

Let's discuss that part more when you've watched it.

Go watch it - it's great.