Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Review by Anthony Morris

New York real estate executive Andy (Philip Seymour Hoffman) needs money. His recently divorced brother Hank (Ethan Hawke) also needs money. Andy's plan for how to get this money is simple: get Hank to rob a jewelry store. 

This should be easy for Hank, because he used to work in the jewelry store. But he'll have to wear a mask, because it's their parents' store that they'll be robbing. 

And from that one bad idea and the botched robbery that follows from it, director Sidney Lumet slowly pans out to reveal a world of pain where betrayal is as easy as breathing and vengeance knows no bounds. 

Now in his 80's, Lumet works with a skill and drive missing in many directors half his age, creating a film ruthless in it's drive and economy. This is a crime story first and foremost and as such it's taut and gripping. But by only hinting at the family's tensions (aside from one amazing scene where Hoffman reveals the true depth of Andy's hurt) it creates an oblique portrait of a dysfunctional family that hits harder than most angst-laden family sagas. 

Throw in great performances all 'round and you've got a film that excels on every level.

4.5 out of 5

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Australian release: 20th March, 2008
Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney, Marisa Tomei
Director: Sidney Lumet

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