Film review: Live By Night (15)

When it comes to Ben Affleck-directed films, you’d do well to suggest one that hasn’t been – at least – very good.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker’s last two offerings, Argo and the criminally underrated The Town, are both masterpieces in my mind and make me excited for what he might (possibly) do in the director’s seat for The Batman.

Affleck’s latest gambit is a big screen adaptation of Live By Night, a period crime drama that sees him reunite with Gone Baby Gone author Dennis Lehane.

Once again Affleck stars in his own movie, playing central character Joe Coughlin – a World War I veteran who turned into a Boston-based criminal after deciding he was never going to take orders from anyone ever again.

His care-free attitude is best showcased by his brazen affair with Emma Gould (Sienna Miller), the girlfriend of Irish mobster Albert White (Robert Glenister) who is at war with Boston’s notorious Italian Mafia.

However, a turn of events leads to Joe having a change of heart – and he winds up working for Mafia boss Maso Pescatore (Remo Girone).

That sees him make the long trip down to Florida, where he heads up Maso’s criminal activities in Tampa.

Although he’s essentially submitted to Maso and gone back on his code, Tampa is the land of opportunity for Joe. The warm weather and the many Latino communities are to his liking – especially beautiful Cuban Graciella Corrales (Zoe Saldana), who Joe hopes will help him corner the rum market.

However, Joe – who is joined in Tampa by former running buddy Dion Bartolo (Chris Messina) – does make some enemies along the way.

Most notably the local Ku Klux Klan aren’t impressed with his dealings with Graciella and the Cubans.

Unfortunately for Joe, the KKK have strong links to local law enforcement, with one of them being Chris Cooper’s Chief Figgis.

In another interesting side story, Figgis’ young daughter Loretta (Elle Fanning) becomes something of a voice of dissent against Joe’s business in Florida.

Her arc would make for a film in itself, but somehow squeezes into a small segment of the film.

In truth, that sums up Live By Night – which feels like a series of very enjoyable stories condensed into one strong gangster film.

Affleck has so many interesting plates spinning at the same time, meaning you’ll need to pay attention for every thread to fully pay off.

Think of it like a couple of seasons of Boardwalk Empire chopped down into just over two hours of film.

Indeed, my immediate thought afterwards was that the source material would make a brilliant TV series.

That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the film, though.

I always find Affleck to be a strong lead actor and it’s no different here. Joe sees himself as more of an outlaw than a gangster and that is reflected in his arc, which is a traditional redemptive one.

Miller’s Emma is actually quite unlikeable and doesn’t get as much screen time as you’d perhaps imagine by the promotion of the film.

But Saldana’s Graciella is a much better female lead, albeit a character that could have done with a bit more of a backstory.

The same applies for Cooper and Fanning’s father and daughter duo, who are characters that you’ll remember.

There’s also a cameo from the always excellent Brendan Gleeson as Joe’s cop dad Thomas – and he’s another one you’ll wish you could have seen more of.

Packed full of car chases, shoot-outs and great actors, Live By Night is a very strong gangster offering.

It probably could have done with being longer, but there’s still a huge amount to enjoy and admire here.

Voice Verdict: 8/10 (reviewed at Boston West End Cinema)
+ Affleck leads a very strong cast
+ So many interesting story threads…
– …which film can’t fully explore

SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Jan 20 to Thurs, Jan 26)

**PITBULL: TOUGH WOMEN (18)
8.30pm (Mon)

**SING – PREVIEWS (U)
2D – 10am (Sat/Sun), 3.20pm (Sat/Sun)
3D – 12.40pm (Sat/Sun), 6pm (Sat/Sun)

**LION (PG)
12.20pm (Wed) 3pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 3.20pm (Mon/Tue/Thu), 5.40pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)

xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE (12A)
2D – 1pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 6pm (daily), 8.40pm (daily)
3D – 10.30am (Sat/Sun), 3.30pm (daily)

LA LA LAND (12A)
Noon (Sat/Sun/Wed), 2.45pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 5.30pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)

THE BYE BYE MAN (15)
2pm (Fri/Wed), 6.30pm (not Sat/Sun), 8.45pm (daily)

LIVE BY NIGHT (15)
4pm (not Sat/Sun/Tue), 4pm subtitled showing (Tue)

ASSASSIN’S CREED 2D (12A)
10am (Sat), 8.40pm (not Sat/Mon)

BALLERINA (U)
10am (Sat/Sun)

MONSTER TRUCKS 2D (PG)
12.30pm (Sat/Sun)

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY 2D (12A)
Noon (Wed), 2pm (Fri), 3pm (Sat/Wed), 5.50pm (not Sat)

MOANA 2D (PG)
10am (Sun), 12.30pm (Sat/Sun)

KIDS’ CLUB
Sat/Sun 10.15am – Trolls (U)

SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Live By Night (15)

**FREE LIST SUSPENDED