The other night Jenny watched for the first (and I for a second) time the Ben Affleck directed, Gone Baby Gone. I really liked the movie when I watched it last year and I thought it was one of the better films of the year.
By the way one probably shouldn’t read any further if you haven’t seen the movie.
But anyway the film’s ending is still intriguing to me. Those that have seen the movie know what I’m talking about…that basically Casey Affleck’s character had to make a difficult choice regarding what to do with the kidnapped girl.
I think it’s clear—and the movie does (I believe) ultimately take this position-- that Affleck’s character made the “right” choice. You can’t condone people of authority kidnapping a little girl because she has a questionable mother (played by Amy Ryan). And that’s not even factoring in the murders that were committed to cover up the crime. Basically the ends don’t justify the means with regard to what Morgan Freeman and his cronies (Ed Harris and Co.) attempted.
But I do thinks it’s intriguing to look at it from the other angle. More to the point I would argue (and maybe I’m being more Devil’s Advocate than anything) that I’m not entirely convinced that Affleck’s decision was completely selfless and/or was he really putting the girl’s best interest first?
Why I’m questioning Affleck’s motivation is two-fold. One he says (and I’m summarizing here) that he couldn’t live with himself if later on his life he would admit to the kidnapped girl (Amanda) that he did nothing when he had the opportunity to return her to her rightful mother. It seems to me that one reason he’s choosing to do what he does is to satisfy his own future guilt. In that regard, it doesn’t seem to me that Affleck is making his decision solely on what is best for the girl. He’s factoring in his own desires (even though they might seem to be admirable).
Secondly, its clear-- by the way the movie ended--that Affleck is going to have a presence in Amanda’s life. I don’t think that is a bad thing—especially considering how ridiculous Amanda’s mother is. But again is he being slightly self-serving by inserting himself into Amanda’s life? What exactly is his motive? Is it to just be a positive presence in Amanda’s life or is he satisfying some need in himself to be her hero…or her father-like figure. Surely in some way he recognizes that Ryan is not a great mother so in some small regard he’s slightly similar to Freeman’s character in that they both see the need for themselves to intervene for Amanda’s behalf. Granted it’s not to the same level of ridiculousness…but there are some few parallels. Basically if Affleck sees himself of some sort of guardian for Amanda than that surely factored in his decision to do what he did…and thus it’s arguable that he put his own desires into the decision. Again…was his choice completely selfless and solely based on Amanda’s best interest?
It doesn’t take much of a leap to assume (and it is an assumption) that Amanda would have a better (at least more secure and caring) home with the characters played by Morgan Freeman and his wife than with her own mother. Of course this was also the position shared by Affleck’s girlfriend in the movie (played by Michelle Monaghan). If the movie existed in more of a vacuum (where all the crazy stuff didn’t happen) than I believe it would have been a harder decision for Affleck to make and it would have been more difficult to buy that the girl is truly better off with her biological mother than with her potential “adopted” parents. We do authorize the state to make those calls (removing kids from their parents) but we frown on it (and justifiable so) when individuals take it upon themselves to do it.
The existential dilemma that faces Affleck’s character is just so intriguing. I just find it fascinating in examining the motives behind his decision. And I'm not really sure if his decision had to be selfless but in examining his decision one can see that his choice did factor in some of his own wishes and thoughts.
But anyway...that's all for now.
By the way one probably shouldn’t read any further if you haven’t seen the movie.
But anyway the film’s ending is still intriguing to me. Those that have seen the movie know what I’m talking about…that basically Casey Affleck’s character had to make a difficult choice regarding what to do with the kidnapped girl.
I think it’s clear—and the movie does (I believe) ultimately take this position-- that Affleck’s character made the “right” choice. You can’t condone people of authority kidnapping a little girl because she has a questionable mother (played by Amy Ryan). And that’s not even factoring in the murders that were committed to cover up the crime. Basically the ends don’t justify the means with regard to what Morgan Freeman and his cronies (Ed Harris and Co.) attempted.
But I do thinks it’s intriguing to look at it from the other angle. More to the point I would argue (and maybe I’m being more Devil’s Advocate than anything) that I’m not entirely convinced that Affleck’s decision was completely selfless and/or was he really putting the girl’s best interest first?
Why I’m questioning Affleck’s motivation is two-fold. One he says (and I’m summarizing here) that he couldn’t live with himself if later on his life he would admit to the kidnapped girl (Amanda) that he did nothing when he had the opportunity to return her to her rightful mother. It seems to me that one reason he’s choosing to do what he does is to satisfy his own future guilt. In that regard, it doesn’t seem to me that Affleck is making his decision solely on what is best for the girl. He’s factoring in his own desires (even though they might seem to be admirable).
Secondly, its clear-- by the way the movie ended--that Affleck is going to have a presence in Amanda’s life. I don’t think that is a bad thing—especially considering how ridiculous Amanda’s mother is. But again is he being slightly self-serving by inserting himself into Amanda’s life? What exactly is his motive? Is it to just be a positive presence in Amanda’s life or is he satisfying some need in himself to be her hero…or her father-like figure. Surely in some way he recognizes that Ryan is not a great mother so in some small regard he’s slightly similar to Freeman’s character in that they both see the need for themselves to intervene for Amanda’s behalf. Granted it’s not to the same level of ridiculousness…but there are some few parallels. Basically if Affleck sees himself of some sort of guardian for Amanda than that surely factored in his decision to do what he did…and thus it’s arguable that he put his own desires into the decision. Again…was his choice completely selfless and solely based on Amanda’s best interest?
It doesn’t take much of a leap to assume (and it is an assumption) that Amanda would have a better (at least more secure and caring) home with the characters played by Morgan Freeman and his wife than with her own mother. Of course this was also the position shared by Affleck’s girlfriend in the movie (played by Michelle Monaghan). If the movie existed in more of a vacuum (where all the crazy stuff didn’t happen) than I believe it would have been a harder decision for Affleck to make and it would have been more difficult to buy that the girl is truly better off with her biological mother than with her potential “adopted” parents. We do authorize the state to make those calls (removing kids from their parents) but we frown on it (and justifiable so) when individuals take it upon themselves to do it.
The existential dilemma that faces Affleck’s character is just so intriguing. I just find it fascinating in examining the motives behind his decision. And I'm not really sure if his decision had to be selfless but in examining his decision one can see that his choice did factor in some of his own wishes and thoughts.
But anyway...that's all for now.
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