REVIEW: Live By Night

So here we go, first movie of 2017. New year, new movies, clean slate! However, “Live by Night” kind of felt like someone was writing an essay the night before it was due. I was hoping for something great to come from Ben Affleck, despite his “so-so” performance in “The Accountant” and a new yet quiet first impression as the new batman in “Batman v. Superman.” Ben Affleck is a profound actor but I think he either needs a great movie or I need to find some of his actual “good stuff.” But not only did Affleck star in this movie, he wrote, produced and directed it himself. I’m sure Ben Affleck is as good at directing as he is at acting but again, I felt like he was in a rush to make this movie.

“Live by Night” is based off of the popular book by Dennis Lehane; it’s set in 1920s America in the height of prohibition. Joe Coughlin (Affleck) is a veteran of WWI but then takes up a life of crime when he arrives home. Robbing banks and working for crime lords was only the beginning for Joe. But one day, a boss of his catches him and turns him into the police for his crimes, leading to a war between Joe and his former bosses later on.

Throughout the entire film, “Live by Night” was slow but eventually gave us something to entertain us with. One scene involving a gunfight left me in mixed emotions. In conclusion, I would suggest you see something else before seeing “Live by Night.” However, if you weren’t all that impressed by Ben Affleck’s work in 2016, then don’t see this. My rate for this movie would be 77% (C-).