Introduction: Gone Baby Gone
The film “Gone Baby Gone” delves into the sensitive subject of prevalent crime in contemporary Boston society, where family life is tainted by lust, greed, and drug addiction. Crimes are concealed under various layers, revealing that seemingly gentle and civilized individuals are engaged in illegal activities. The movie explores the complexities of a society where each new layer uncovers sinister acts committed by criminals, gangsters, mafias, and abductors. It unravels the knots of crime, exposing the selfishness and hollowness of the characters. Many characters maintain different facades to conceal their true selves, but the film takes on the responsibility of revealing these false appearances. As the story progresses, individuals initially perceived as helpful and nice are discovered to be involved in criminal activities. The film adopts language suited to gangsters, using typical words and registers. It continues the tradition of detective movies popular over the years, such as “The Departed,” “Minority Report,” “Traffic,” and “Hot Fuzz.” Crime in this film is portrayed as a direct consequence of moral degeneration, corruption, and drug addiction, leading to an identity crisis.
Moral Degradation in Gone Baby Gone
Moral degradation is the root cause of the crimes depicted in this movie. The society of Boston is generally considered to be civilized, well-mannered, and educated. While this is undoubtedly true, the movie’s writer offers a profound and different perspective, exposing the true reality of their lives. The characters introduced in the film exhibit dual personalities. Helene, the mother of the missing girl Amanda, appears disinterested in finding her. Her dialogues and actions suggest that she might even sacrifice her daughter for sensual pleasures and drugs. Furthermore, she, along with her boyfriend, is involved in robbing a drug dealer named Cheese. he moral element is also lacking in other characters, such as Lionel, who is Beatrice’s husband. Initially appearing genuinely concerned about the missing girl, it is later revealed that he has been involved in her abduction. Additionally, the movie portrays an incident of abduction where a seven-year-old boy is kidnapped by a child molester. Detective Remy remarks about the molester, stating, “Corwin’s plan is to keep a kid in the house
Corruption in Gone Baby Gone
Corruption within the ranks of police officers and detectives has significantly contributed to the exacerbation of the crime menace. Aside from the two main characters, Patrick and his girlfriend Angie, nearly everyone is involved in some form of corruption. The detectives engage in bargaining with drug suppliers, driven by their own greed rather than a sincere commitment to finding the missing girl. The entire atmosphere of the city appears sinister, echoing Patrick’s sentiment, “This city can be hard.”
Patrick shares a perspective he gained from his priest in his youth, highlighting the challenging balance between navigating a harsh environment and maintaining personal integrity. He describes the need to be both wise as serpents and innocent as doves, emphasizing the duality he faces amid criminal elements, even within his own department. He has to be sheep and serpent at the same time. The other two detectives Nick and Remy in collaboration with Captain Doyle stage a drama of the girl’s murder in a shootout near the Quarry. They intelligently put the doll in the water to show that she is drowned. Captain Doyle appears to be very loyal and dedicated police officer. He pledges to recover the baby at all costs because he has also happened to lose her daughter once. We believe in his words when he takes early retirement for not being able to save the baby. At the end it transpires that he is the person who has planned to abduct the baby and it was all a mere show to satisfy her family.
Drugs in Gone Baby Gone
The use and sale of drugs are portrayed as a major catalyst for the rise in crimes in US society. The drug mafia is shown to directly and indirectly promote criminal activities. It is revealed that Helene indulges in drug consumption five days a week, particularly using arsenic. Numerous other characters frequent pubs, engaging in excessive drinking and drug inhalation. The high cost of drugs compels users to seek money through any means necessary, leading to their involvement in robberies, exemplified by Helene and her boyfriend robbing a drug dealer.
Additionally, abductions for ransom serve as a means to accumulate funds for purchasing drugs and alcohol. The prevalence of drugs in society has also contributed to the adoption of abusive language, with characters using a distinct register filled with profanities such as “Fuck” and “Fucking,” along with repeated sexual references. This highlights how the use of drugs is further contributing to the moral decadence of the individuals within that society.
Conclusion: Gone Baby Gone
In shot, the film explores moral degeneration, corruption in law enforcement, and the widespread use of drugs as major contributors to the increased crime levels in US society. Human relations are marked by alienation, with individuals pursuing their own selfish goals, leading to a disintegration of the social fabric. The mother-daughter relationship is strained, emphasizing the prevalence of moral degradation as priorities shift towards personal indulgences. The film also reveals the involvement of professional police officers and detectives in abductions and connections with drug dealers. Furthermore, the pervasive spread of drugs in society has led to various evils, compelling individuals to commit heinous crimes for financial gain. Overall, the movie unfolds a captivating detective story that exposes the realities of drug addiction, societal double standards, moral decay, and corruption within the fabric of US society.
Works Cited: Gone Baby Gone
Gone Baby Gone. Dir. Ben Affleck. Perf. Ed Harris, Casey Affleck Morgan Freeman. 2007.
Relevant Questions about Gone Baby Gone
- How does the character of Patrick Kenzie navigate the moral and ethical dilemmas surrounding the investigation in “Gone Baby Gone,” and what does his decision-making reveal about the complexities of justice?
- In “Gone Baby Gone,” how does the setting of the working-class neighborhoods in Boston contribute to the overall atmosphere of the story, and what impact does it have on the characters’ decisions and actions?
- The novel “Gone Baby Gone” explores themes of parental responsibility and societal expectations. How do the characters grapple with these themes, and what commentary does the story provide on the challenges faced by families in the midst of adversity?
