Live by Night

Live by Night is a riveting crime thriller released in 2016, and it stands as a testament to the creative prowess of Ben Affleck, who not only stars in the film, but also writes and directs. Alongside Affleck, the movie boasts a star-studded cast that includes Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina, and Zoe Saldana. Based on Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name, the movie is set in the time of Prohibition in the United States, and it explores the dangerous, shadowy corners of mob life.

The film centers on the life of Joe Coughlin (Ben Affleck), the son of a respected Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Thomas Coughlin (Brendan Gleeson). However, contrary to what one might expect, Joe is no law-abiding citizen. Through draft evasion, robberies, and marking his defiance towards societal norms, the allure of the criminal underworld entices him. His preference for illegitimate means to achieve power and wealth is intensified when he falls for Emma (Sienna Miller), the mistress of a powerful mob boss.

The plot thickens as Joe's life takes a dramatic turn. A single tragic event pushes him away from his hometown, and he finds himself in Tampa, Florida. Now deeply involved with the Italian mob, Joe is on a different playing field, navigating the viscous underbelly of Prohibition-era America. It's here that he meets Graciela (Zoe Saldana), and their passionate relationship shapes the course of his life even further.

Tampa is a far cry from Boston, not just geographically, but culturally as well. Joe finds himself in a melting pot of varied communities - Spanish immigrants, native Cubans, Southern white supremacists, and African Americans. As he works to build a rum empire amidst this diversity, the film takes us through Coughlin's encounters with the Ku Klux Klan, competing Italian mob factions, religious evangelists, and a morally complex chief of police. His involvement with these different factions and their rivalries create a web of intrigue and menace that forms the backbone of the narrative.

With every decision he makes, Joe's life becomes further entrenched in violence and politics. He learns the hard truths about loyalty and the price one pays for power. As he battles the authorities, rival gangs, and his demons, he must make choices that test his mettle, all the while maintaining a semblance of control over his empire. His journey is a study in the contrasts of the criminal life - where warmth and love are interwoven with betrayal, and dreams are underpinned by violence.

Affleck's portrayal of Joe Coughlin is nuanced and compelling, as is the rest of the cast whose performances add depth to their complex characters. Elle Fanning shines as Loretta Figgis, the evangelist preacher who becomes an unexpected obstacle in Joe's paths. Her performance adds an unexpected layer of intrigue and adversity to the narrative, offering a counterpoint to the machinations of the criminal world.

The visual spectacle complements the narrative - with 1920's America beautifully captured with its bustling speakeasies, vintage cars, and lavish wardrobes complementing the grime and danger of the criminal life. Cinematographer Robert Richardson paints a vivid picture of the era, infusing each shot with stunning detail.

Live by Night is not just a crime drama but one that serves as social commentary, examining themes of race, religion, immigration, love, and revenge against the backdrop of an era where lawlessness was the law to the opportunistic. It very carefully weaves in the fear, paranoia, and resistance of the time, thus giving the audience a deeply resonating depiction of a bygone era.

However, at its heart, Live by Night is a film about a man's struggle with his identity, a man shaped by his choices, enemies, and the unlikeliest alliances. Ben Affleck’s depiction of this complex character is authentic and impressively nuanced. Whether viewers are fans of crime drama, period pieces, or gripping tales of love and loss, Live by Night is a diligently crafted film that caters to all interests. You can expect your heart to race as you dive into the dangerous, seductive cat and mouse game of the Prohibition-era underworld. A film that serves as a testament to Affleck’s multifaceted talents – both in front of and behind the camera – Live by Night is a mesmerizing trip back in time that’s not to be missed.