Gone, Baby, Gone

[colmatrix]

I am a big "Patrick and Angie" fan, the characters from Dennis Lehane's novels. They are gritty, funny, and intense. He is the author of Mystic River if you haven't heard of him. The first adaptation of one of the P & A books will be directed by Ben Affleck with a cast that includes his brother Casey, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, and some unknown as the coolest character in all the books: Bubba. Anyone looking foward to this? Anyone read the books?

[Deacon]

Are you kidding me? I worship at the temple of Dennis Lehane. I just wish he'd friggin' write more (although, to be honest, I was disappointed by 'Coronado'). 'Mystic River' was the one that got me started on his books - I read it when I heard that Eastwood was filming it - but it's his Kenzie-Gennaro books that really got me hooked.

It's the whole package - his writing style, the plotting, the smart-ass dialogue, the characters. Particularly the characters. Bubba Rogowski has to be one of the most entertaining loons I've ever seen. And that - with regards to the upcoming film - is what has me worried.

I'm no Affleck hater. I'm no huge fan, either, but since he's only writing and directing, and has shown a love for the material, I was cautiously optimistic when he signed on.

But it's the casting choices. I can see Michelle Monaghan as Angie, but Casey Affleck as Patrick? I don't see that - but he could surprise. But - if I understand it correctly - he's cast a black actor (Michael K. Williams from 'The Wire') as Devin (Oscar apparently isn't in it), and another black actor to play Cheese Olamon - the white guy who talks like a black man. I'm all for colour-blindness when it comes to casting roles, but these choices seem to demonstrate that Affleck isn't that bothered with maintaining fealty to the novel (and I understand changes have to be made - but these baffle me).

And then there's the big one - he's cast a rapper from Boston named Slaine as Bubba. Bubba's supposed to be, like, six-four, 235 pounds. Imposing as hell. I tracked down a video that Slaine had done... and all I could think was... that guy's Rogowski?

I hope Affleck proves me wrong. I hope the trailer puts a smile on my face. I hope, I hope, I hope.