juneebuggy
I liked this more than I expected to. It's a story that's been told many times before but the great performances from Ethan Hawke and especially Mark Ruffalo -whose struggle going straight (and clean) both really captured me.It's the story of two childhood friends from South Boston who graduate from a life of petty crime to working for a local organized crime boss and then after a stint in jail try to go straight. I liked how this was filmed to appear gritty and cold all the time, really adding to the mood.My only real problem would have to be the ending which could have been better. At first I was confused by 'Brian's' view of what could happen, thinking it did happen, and then after everything all we get is a written epilogue as to the fate of Paulie, what a wasted opportunity that was. I wanted to see how "that" played out, not just get a by-the-way.This story also wouldn't be complete without a Wahlberg (they seem to be in all things Boston) and here Donnie plays a detective. 10/13
tieman64
"What Doesn't Kill You" is a slight but well acted tale of two childhood friends, Paulie and Brian, who struggle to make ends meet in Southern Bostom. The duo turn to crime at an early age, and soon find themselves working full-time for an Irish crime lord who tasks the couple with conducting local robberies. The pay's poor, but things will get better. Won't they? The film then flashes forward several decades, but only to find Paulie and Brian, now played by actors Ethan Hawke and Mark Ruffalo, still conducting petty robberies. Money's hard to come by, their bosses take a large percentage of their earnings, and the duo begin to grow disillusioned. The rest of the film plays like a small-scale version of "Donnie Brasco", watching as organised crime sucks the life out of hard working foot-soldiers who exist in a kind of despondent stasis, waiting and waiting and hoping and hoping for something better as life itself passes them by.The film was directed by Brian Goodman, and is reportedly based on his own true-life story growing up in Irish mobs. Amongst the cast, Ruffalo stands out as a word-weary, lethargic guy caught in a cruel loop. It's "Mean Streets" meets the Myth of Sisyphus, Hawke and Ruffalo hoping and toiling for a better tomorrow that doesn't come. The film closes on Ruffalo's son, Ruffalo hoping that his kid escapes this demented vortex. The guy's proud of his kid; maybe he'll make it.The film's title is interesting. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, so the saying goes, but here survival is akin to a kind of condemnation.Aesthetically the film's anonymously shot, though one helicopter fly-over of a wintry, snow capped Bostom stands out. As is typical of these films, all female roles are reduced to either eye-candy or screaming wives.7.9/10 – Worth one viewing.
rhaslett-3
First time ever to see Ethan, he was outstanding. Have liked Ruffalo's acting since Zodiac, have seen very few actors with the on-screen believability portrayed here, he was spot-on as a tough kid, temperamental, mean on the outside, soft underneath when it came to friends and their family. As a crime kid, he knows no other way, and of course feels screwed when life comes up short. the only think that holds Brian together is his kids once he realizes how bad he has let them and their Mother down. Storyline is very good, acting superb down to the bit actors, and the Boston landscape and people are what I would picture them to be in these neighborhoods. Would love to see where the filming was done some day. Reall an underrated film I caught a part of one night and got the DVD and have seen it at least ten times, each time gets better. Love Amanda Peet. she too was the first time ever seeing her in a movie. Such dedication to put up with a guy like Brian all those years. Definitely worth watching at least once. Maybe ten times?
Petri Pelkonen
Brian and Paulie have been buddies since childhood.They have to be tough if they wanna survive in the streets of South Boston.The local crime boss takes them under his wings.Brian becomes addicted to drugs and alcohol, which causes some friction between his wife and two young sons.The writer and director of What Doesn't Kill You (2008) is Brian Goodman.It's based on his own story.Mark Ruffalo is terrific as Goodman's alter ego, Brian Reilly.Ethan Hawke is amazing as Paulie McDougan.Amanda Peet is superb as Stacy Reilly.Will Lyman is very good as Sully.Goodman himself gives a marvelous portrayal of Pat Kelly.NKOTB's Donnie Wahlberg does great job as Detective Moran.Donnie was also writing the movie.Angela Fearstone plays Katie.Edward Lynch is Jackie.Lindsey McKeon plays the part of Nicole.Dramatically this movie works in many places.The relationship portrayed between Brian and his wife is one of the working material.What also works is the character development.There is also some harsh realism portrayed in this movie.It doesn't glamorize the lifestyle the people are living here.It doesn't give you a message it's good to be a hood, or the drugs work.It's saying that once you're living that lifestyle, it's better to get out of it.As soon as possible.
AD
