Knowing Ms. Zacharek's narrow and vaporous approach to criticism, I went to see Gone Baby Gone last night and was really impressed.

This may be the film of the year!

What Mr. Affleck has given us is a beautifully articulated, morally complex and very grimy film that defies expectations at every turn. The acting is stunning - especially Casey Affleck! - the script spare, smart and very well paced, and scene after scene ends in unexpected ways that feel fresh and imbued with a creative energy very much lacking in current Hollywood cinema.

There is a scene early in the film in a bar which threatens to resolve itself in macho cliche but, instead, ends much differently and gives us a painful and honest glimpse into the protagonist's character as he blunders into the bright light.

This is indicative of the brilliance of this film - it defies expectations but does so in a matter of fact manner, not showy or self aware; all in all, the hallmark of a very tight and thoughtful script and a very smart and determined director.

Personally, I don't care for Ben Afflick as an actor, but I sure hope that he stays working behind the camera. Gone Baby Gone is the best film of the year (so far) with the possible exception of Fincher's Zodiac and to my memory is better than Mystic River (though I plan to re-watch that before seeing Gone Baby Gone again...

The film is full of atmosphere.

The acting is top-notch.

I disagree w/ ms. Zacharek that Casey Affleck has no presence-his character plays the ambivalence of being an 'insider' in this community, but with values and ideas that may conflict with it.

As a young director Ben Affleck did a nice job with some weightly issues.

In the theatre where I saw the film, not a sound could be heard during the entire film. To get and hold the attention of an audience, a filmmaker is doing something right!

See the movie for yourself-more smart movies need to be made and supported.

that Salon letter readers can read a review and have the brains to understand it.

The review clearly complains about stereotypes. Somehow this becomes equated with living in a fairy-tale world. No. It means the characters, as presented, don't have enough contours or dimensions, and fulfill their generic function.

Now go read it again, children. With the chance to spew your lack of understanding immediately onto the web comes some responsibility to at least give the illusion of understanding an adult argument.

Or, in language you understand: Baaaa! BAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

that she can write several hundred words on one topic. But is that enough?

In a word: NO.

Salon, do us all a favor and let Stephaine go free to find her place in this world, a place where, God willing, she can rise above pure hackery. Do it now, while there is still hope.

Ok, so I have no idea if there is still hope, but I really wish you'd dump her. She's incredibly lame and she doesn't know her supposed area of expertise.

"Gone Baby Gone" is a little too comfortable with its stereotypes. Sometimes, you want to believe people can surprise you -- even if the ultimate, sorry answer is that they can't.

The fact that "you want to believe people can surprise you," despite the more likely reality that "they can't," signifies that Ben Affleck is somehow deficient in his writing and/or direction of the material? Specious argument -- and review -- at best.

Here in the reality-based community, I prefer to see movies depicting characters as people generally are and situations as they would actually transpire, not idealized as they would be in the fairy-tale world Ms. Zacharek would seem to prefer in her adaptations of hard-boiled detective novels.

"Gone Baby Gone" is a little too comfortable with its stereotypes. Sometimes, you want to believe people can surprise you -- even if the ultimate, sorry answer is that they can't.

So, the fact that "you want to believe people can surprise you" makes the more likely reality that "they can't" signifies that Ben Affleck is somehow deficient in his writing and/or direction of the material? Specious argument -- and review -- at best.

Here in the reality-based community, I prefer to see movies depicting characters as people generally are and situations as they would actually transpire, not idealized as they would be in the fairy-tale world Ms. Zacharek would seem to prefer in her adaptations of hard-boiled detective novels.

It's a shame he's so dumb. Bike helmet in the bathtub dumb.

to change "Benifer" back to Ben Affleck, serious artist, in your view? Poor man.

I am definitely going to see this movie. It has gotten execellent reviews generally. I have read and enjoyed the book and the "stereotypes" you cite are exactly what Dennis Lehane wrote. Except that, according to other reviewers, the actress playing the negligent mother manages to graner far more sympathy than the character in the book as written. As written, she garners no sympathy at all. And that is what makes the ending of the story so wrenching.

Haven't seen the movie yet, but my neighborhood is filled with stereotypical folks with stringy hair, drugged out eyes, and bad pronounciation of words. In fact my dad pronounces the word similar as simuler. pizza is peezer, and so on.

I'm definitely going to see it.