Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, He Said

If you've ever disappointed your parents, you need to see this film, because whatever you've done, you more than likely didn't killed them. But then not to many children ever think that getting out of financial problems might include the option of robbing their parents business.

Andrew, the older brother, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, has a lot of problems. In order to keep his wife happy, his drug addiction satisfied and his social image in tack, Andrew has been using his position as accountant for a real estate firm in order to embezzle money. An impending IRS audit, his growing need for drugs and suspicion that his wife is wandering leads Andy to solicit his brother Hank as and accomplice in his plot.

Hank, portrayed by Ethan Hawke is hanging on to his life by a thread. He is also working a the real estate firm. He is deep in debt because of a failed marriage, he is behind in his support payments. He has a serious alcohol problem and he is in love with a women, Gina, who he can't have because she realizes he is a loser. Gina, played convincingly by Marisa Tomei, should know since she is Hank's his brother Andrew's wife.

Andrew in the role of controlling older brother convinces Hank to actually do the deed. All he has to do is go to his parents jewelery store early in the morning when the part time clerk opens the store. They have both worked for their parents. They know the alarm codes, the safe combinations and when the cash will be at it's highest volume. All Hank has to do is walk in take the jewelery and cash and they are both home free. Andrew has already felt out a fence for the jewels and the cash can be laundered through the Real Estate firm.

The problem is Hank hasn't got the stomach for the deed and he recruits a thug, Bobby, he knows through his pub crawling nights. The next problem is that the part time clerk is off and the boy's mother fills in. Bobby doesn't know Hank's mother and during the robbery she pulls a hidden gun on him. She shots and wounds him. He returns her fire and wounds her. She shots him again and kills him.

When the boys their Dad, played by Albert Finny unite at the hospital where the mother is declared brain dead, this comedy of error's becomes a hyper physco drama.

I hesitate to call this dark comedy, because there is no attempt to make the death of two people humorous. However, the situation is so ludicrous and asinine that even Jerry Springer may take pause before airing the survivors of this trip on the avenue of disaster.

The cast is superb and the script is sharp, the story is riveting. Never has so much been invested in trotting out the potential for stupidity when men become desperate.