I guess Raban values the twist over execution. I can see that. But I just like how everything progressed and was eventually laid out. To be honest, I think it was best that you could see where it was going because you watched it all come to a head at the very end where it was neatly laid out for you in a fashion that made you think about the ending and validity of their actions.
No I mean, even a boring plot could make an engaging movie if the execution was done right, but from what I saw, man, nothing was done right. The camera was boring, the writing was teetering on cringe-worthy (seriously, "I feel like 9/11 right now", wtf?), the acting was so/so, especially for people like Casey Affleck and Morgan Freeman, who have done so much better in their past films, especially Freeman. I can forgive a shitty plot if its presented well, but Gone Baby Gone didn't even bother justifying anything. The on-again off-again voice over was annoying as well, as the movie would've flowed much better had we been in Casey's head the whole film.
Also, some of the set choices were completely absurd. When it comes to a from-scratch screenplay, you have a lot of freedom concerning stuff like where things take place, and one of the final scenes that took place in Freeman's front yard was too awkward for me to handle. Heavy plot elements aren't delivered well when the characters are standing out in the front yard of a summer cabin staring each other down. The revelation taking place in that set just didn't make much sense to me.
As far as the progression of the film, the pacing fucked that up for me. The movie couldn't decide when to run and when to walk, and when it finally does pick up, it lasts maybe 10 seconds before the scene is cut short with a collage of short clips to explain something they could've explained by following through with the sped up pacing rather than using the awkward method in the film, which ultimately gave me a case of blue balls.
The moral ambiguity and some of the plot points are good stuff, but the execution is actually what I was bothered by. Also, the color theme of the movie was extremely distinguished mentally-challenged. Scenes would go from dark and grainy Fight Club to glare-tastic Michael Bay, to washed out The Departed.
