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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
 
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29 user reviews

6.9/10

Average votes grouped by age and by sex:
Age:   1-12    13-17   18-25   26-35   36-49    50+    Total  
Men:
Votes:
-
0
-
0
6
2
7.5
2
5.8
6
8.1
7
7
17
Women:
Votes:
-
0
8
1
-
0
8
1
5.3
3
7.7
4
7.3
10
Total:
Votes:
-
0
8
1
6
2
6.2
5
5.7
9
8
11
6.9
29
Total includes also voters who didn't specify their sex.

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Showing all 29 reviews...

Interesting how even when someone makes a film that has a left of center feel it still ends up expounding a very familiar Christainish message about family values and how parents are always in the right... this film certainly depicts sons as the true slime of the Earth, as it portrays two brothers dramatic nose dive into the unredeamable zone of life faster than a speeding bullet. A bit depressing, maybe much in the way of depressing-but personally I cant decide which is more depressing-the brothers descent into hell, or the ever persistent idea that parents are never pigs... not a film for everyone-maybe gimme that ol time religion the more the depressing thing. No doubt that will make little sense to many folks.
7/10
14.1.2009 - amsterdamonabuckaday@ - age: 26-35
First review.Post a Reply
 
 
DVD: "Before The Devil Knows You're Dead"
I almost feel like giving this one 5/10, but the acting saves it somewhat. The first 20-30 minutes are awesome, both acting and storyline. But then, it all kind of falls apart, and it actually starts losing its nice pace, its coolness, its edginess, and starts to be just plain annoying and cumbersome. Kudos do go to Ethan Hawke for a great role. Haven't seen him play this kind of "troubled" soul in quite some time, and he pulls it off amazingly well, thus why I can live with giving this one a 6/10. And Philip Seymour Hoffman is also quite good, but the writing (and I guess the directing) just sinks this one. And I had no expectations at all when watching it. So it's not like I expected a masterpiece...
6/10
10.3.2008 - rimbaud1972@ - age: 26-35
177 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
Never see this movie it is the worst movie in my entire life! It has ruined movies for me! It is sooo bad! Dont see it whatever you do!
1/10
9.2.2008 - ckueber@ - age: 26-35
First review.Post a Reply
 
 
Director Sidney Lumet certainly does not betray his considerable age with this tragic but relevant tale. Philip Seymour Hoffman is terrific as usual (playing an unlikeable but not entirely unsympathetic character) and is supported by some strong work from Ethan Hawke and Albert Finney. For those who have been looking forward to seeing Marisa Tomei in a mature role sans clothing, this movie will not disappoint. I was very glad to see that the director kept the gunfire to a minimum in this story, which meant that each shot fired had significance because its consequence could be seen and felt. At my screening, the killing of an unconscious bystander drew gasps from the crowd and a shocked 'WTF' comment from the friend with whom I went to see this film. Kudos to Lumet for making the audience react to a single shot, which is no mean feat considering how cavalier Hollywood is about gunplay in cinema and how audiences have become desensitized to characters being gunned down. People who enjoy crime thrillers or capers should note that Lumet makes a strong moral statement with this tale and that things don't end well for anybody. If that's not the type of story you enjoy, you may want to pass on this movie. If you like 'old school' films that are strong on characterization and plot and actually something to say about human nature and society, then you'll definitely want to check out this movie.
7/10
24.12.2007 - deuxpamplemousse@ - age: 50+
9 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
This film is unrelentingly, unredeemingly DEPRESSING!! In its favour, it is extremely well acted, well filmed and well edited. The story is told in a similar fashion to Crash or Memento, in flashes back and forth from different people's perspectives. I wish they'd shown more about the Mother though. She seemed to be little more than a prop. I found the story in general to be rather oppressive. It just keeps taking a straight line to the worse possible scenario. There was no meaningful kind of redemption that makes all that disaster at least have meaning in someone's life. It's just the Great Unravelling of everything these people tried to achieve in their lives. Is that what the writer wants to do - scare the h*ll out of us by putting up a big sign that says "DON'T GO THERE and here's why"? Maybe. I think we learn better when we are shown a better alternative, which was sorely lacking in this film. The message seemed to be: Life inevitably crumbles and then you die - probably at the hands of someone you did wrong by! It also left frustrating loose ends. And I felt the depth of character explanation fell short of the enormous complexity of the story. I'm glad I saw it, if only for the superb acting, but by the end I was looking around for a wall to bang my head against.
6/10
24.12.2007 - scorpio_mystique@ - age: 50+
41 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
More than anything, the tone of "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" provides the pleasure and distinguishes it from other thrillers. There’s the family business, to begin with, as a pair of financially strapped brothers plot to knock off a suburban, mom-and-pop jewelry store owned by their mom and pop. The heist is just the latest bad decision made by Andy and Hank (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke), the central chumps in this bleak morality tale. The plan goes horribly wrong, of course, and Lumet teams with debut screenwriter Kelly Masterson to backtrack the characters’ stories. The conclusion is as brutal as it is inevitable, a Shakespearean tragedy of blackly comedic errors. Backtrack the characters’ stories.
9/10
22.12.2007 - ladyblues_@ - age: 50+
2 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
This makes you think. It shows how fast someone could go so deep in trouble. I liked it.
8/10
21.12.2007 - cutyjewel@ - age: 26-35
166 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
This movie was horrible. I would have left if weren't for my friend who was, in fact, enjoying it. It's very sick and will leave you wishing for a bucket to vomit in. It's too bad Marisa Tomei had to pick this movie to show off her "goodies".. and "goodies" they were, indeed. Those were the best moments in this film because it was the only times that I found myself forgetting about how sick this movie is... lol.
4/10
18.12.2007 - mr_6string@ - age: 36-49
39 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
Excellent acting, downhill looking caper gone bad. Tough to take at times, but ultimately very very impressive.
9/10
17.12.2007 - glboy2000@ - age: 26-35
6 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
If you enjoy seeing movies as a form of penitence, this one's a winner. The director is old school, moralistic, and though there is some meaningful commentary on American materialism, and cash culture, the film is completely unredeeming, hammering at the old idea that people are alienated, with no cohesive self; but the hammering away at old constructs teaches us nothing new. Albert Finney, anyway, seems to like very negative pictures.
2/10
16.12.2007 - omphalos22@ - age: 36-49
First review.Post a Reply
 
 
This movie is one of the best that I've ever seen. It has so many plot twists, such great acting, and such a powerful script. Movies that aren't predictable are rare. This one is sad, but a masterpiece.
10/10
15.12.2007 - kiew98@ - age: 36-49
26 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
I found the attempts at high drama in this film to be boring after a while. The intensity added little to the film, never let up nor did it vary. Watching the self destructive and trapped characters descend deeper with every stupid breath they took was exasperating after a while. The flashback technique used throughout the film was cliched and employed with a complete lack of imagination. There wasn't even a need for it. Sorry - I like these actors - but this one's a bit of a stinker.
4/10
12.12.2007 - mobrien212@ - age: 36-49
First review.Post a Reply
 
 
Could be the most depressing movie of the decade.
5/10
10.12.2007 - angeleparker@ - age: 36-49
2 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
Good acting, good story... From a cinematographic point of view, not as beautifully filmed as some movies. No effort made on that level.
8/10
10.12.2007 - norman_haerens@ - age: 36-49
64 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 




After seening the preview I knew it was gonna be a good movie... I was right.
8/10
5.12.2007 - toni_rogers80@ - age: 13-17
16 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
I dont know, I guess it was alright.
7/10
5.12.2007 - juslykapimp@ - age: 18-25
21 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
I didnt get this movie. It could have done better. At first it started out ok, then it jus didnt make sence anymore.
5/10
5.12.2007 - s_macgrady@ - age: 18-25
27 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
OMGOODNESS, ,, I love this movie. I cant wait to own it.
10/10
5.12.2007 - durrtyfolife@
40 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
This film could have risen to the occasion but did not. A disjointed story line, coupled with a caste wholly unlikeable in every respect, left me wishing I'd given this film a pass, PS Hoffman or no...
5/10
3.12.2007 - cowtowngal2007@ - age: 36-49
8 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
Sidney Lumet is a master film maker and proves it once again. Any person who views this film needs to look deeper than just going to the movies to see a story. The decision to be greedy is like a domino effect that can devastate many lives in the circle of people around you. It will make you think twice before you do anything in life that may have horrible consequences for yourself and others. We need more movies like this masterpiece. Now stop listening to that hip hop and go see a good movie! :)
10/10
1.12.2007 - riverdalekid@ - age: 50+
182 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
Exciting suspense/thriller with excellent performances from a fine ensemble of actors. Many twists and turns and edge of the seat moments. Could be a Hitchcock if sexual situations and langusge were toned down. Highly recommended.
8/10
1.12.2007 - jyogis@ - age: 50+
First review.Post a Reply
 
 
Good drama with tension flaring up has the story progresses. Great acting. Didn't like the going into the past/present, forward/backward kinda thing. Well worth seeing and I give it 7½ or 8.
8/10
1.12.2007 - black,jack@ - age: 50+
513 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
A dark theme comparable to "Fargo" and very strong performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Albert Finney. Not much of an uplifting message for the Christmas season, however.
7/10
30.11.2007 - packdon@ - age: 50+
4 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
There is some very good acting in this movie between Philip and Ethan. Albert's final scene with Philip final makes you think about Fatherly Love. A must see movie.
8/10
28.11.2007 - dwcam@ - age: 50+
8 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
Philip, Ethan and Marisa (you look great in you birthday suit) you made my day. What a great movie, haven't had so much fun in a long time, tks guys, keep up the good work.
9/10
27.11.2007 - richard,bastien2@ - age: 50+
26 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
While the performances were really great, in general the movie failed on several other levels. It left me cold and I didn't feel much of anything for any of the characters.
6/10
26.11.2007 - rossbythesea@ - age: 36-49
9 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
[ATTENTION: This review reveals content of the movie.]
Overall a good movie. How can you go wrong with these actors. I did love all the 'family-related' pieces in the film. The angst of feeling rejected and sibling issues. What I didn't like was the extremes re: the older brother and his life beyond the family. I wish they had cut out a lot of that and kept more to the ingrained family 'smog' that was core to the film. The back/forth flashes of time were well done as it could have been confusing but it was edited well and worked.
7/10
24.11.2007 - judgeoscar@ - age: 36-49
14 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
A very interesting and originally-edited movie. Great performance of actors. It is a captivating thriller intertwined with constant flashbacks which enlighten the audience about each character's previous move regarding action. A dark tale that makes you wonder if there is anything good to expect from children once they have become adults. An overwhelming descent to hell... A very good film standing out among the usual false promises and hopes of the previews.
8/10
20.11.2007 - kljac34@ - age: 50+
First review.Post a Reply
 
 
I saw this on a sneak preview. It is definitely a good movie, but it may not be for everyone. The genius of Sidney Lumet, the director, is evident from the first frame. The movie draws you in and never lets you go. It's not a "feel good" type of movie at all. It actually cuts to the core of discomfort dealing with siblings, parents, lies, human weakness, secrets and cover-ups. (Just in case that scares you--Lumet does tinge the scenes with comedic relief) The strong cast, the artistry of how the story is told makes it a worthwhile viewing experience. Some may quibble with the ending. Anything more said would be a spoiler.
8/10
15.11.2007 - hlepek@ - age: 50+
42 reviews - click to viewPost a Reply
 
 
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