Gone Baby Gone

[Elphaba]

Gone Baby Gone (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452623/)is a movie that seems, from outward appearances, to mirror the McCann story... it is set for release, soon. Understand, it was shot before the McCann case. The little girl that plays "Amanda McCready", the missing child, is Madeline O'Brien... and she strikes an uncanny resemblance to Madeleine McCann. This image taken of O'Brien back in 2006 is reminiscent of Maddie's picture where she is wearing a blue footballer shirt:

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/hh/2022453/HH/2022453/iid_1375403.jpg.html?path=pgallery&path_key=O%27Brien,%20Madeline (http://www.imdb.com/gallery/hh/2022453/HH/2022453/iid_1375403.jpg.html?path=pgallery&path_key=O%27Brien,%20Madeline)

Other shots of the little actress also looks a lot like Maddie...

Ben Affleck is pulling the release date of the movie in the UK out of senstivity towards her parents... and there is some gossip that it may be held back on our side of the pond so as not to look like it is cashing in on the Maddie story. The gossip about it maybe being delayed over here, is just that: "gossip" that I got from a screenwriter pal... but still the movie is making a buzz and it all relates to the McCann case.

Your thoughts?

[englishleigh]

What a gorgeous little girl. She really does remind one of Madeleine!! And her real name is Madeline!!! That is freaky. And last name O'Brien, no less.

Wow...the parallels are scary.

[CarpeDiem]

I actually read somewhere today that Affleck was FORCED to delay the opening. I'll find the link.

[Shazza]

I think this movie could have a detrimental effect on the McCann case, how can a trial go ahead if the McCanns are charged with Madelaines death, the movie will make it nigh impossible for a trial to happen as it will sway opinions and a fair trial will be impossible, the McCanns legal team will have a field day with this, Im thinking the judge would throw it out of court due to conflict of interest with the movie and all the media hype surrounding this case, just my opinion of course, but something to really think about.

[Texana]

OMG, she does look so much like Madeleine McCann, it's uncanny. Although, lots of preschoolers do look like that, even my own daughter at that age could have been a sister to those two.

Coincidence!

[CaliKid]

I agree, but Madeleine McCann is cuter.

[Elphaba]

I am great believer in coincidences... and this movie is just... wow, the coincidences are high... :(

[CaliKid]

Coincidence maybe, but I don't have a lot of respect for the production company who is making it. Talk about bad timing.

[ThoughtFox]

Just freaky! :eek:

[narlacat]

Really?

I don't think that little girl looks that much like MM at all..same straight blondy coloured hair but that's about as far as the similiarites go for me.

[CaliKid]

http://madeleinemccann.blogspot.com/2007/09/affleck-delays-film-over-madeleine.html

Ben Affleck has delayed release of movie

[BethyC]

I'm with you -- no resemblence other than blond hair!! Not getting that -- we believe what we want to believe I guess - seems to be lots of that going around.

[englishleigh]

I'm with you -- no resemblence other than blond hair!! Not getting that -- we believe what we want to believe I guess - seems to be lots of that going around.

There's absolutely no need to be snotty about whether or not this child resembles Madeleine and almost attack those of us who do see a similarity. Whether we believe in the McCanns' involvement or not has nothing to do with how we view the appearance of the two little girls...so, the fact that some of us think that this little girl looks like the real Madeleine does not warrant your rudeness in the LEAST. :rolleyes:

[missjane_64]

This movie is based on a book by my favorite author, Dennis Lehane, and was written many years ago. It was my favorite book in this author's series, which features these particular characters. Should be a great movie.

Lehane is also the author of Mystic River, of which the movie was based. That book was not part of the Gone Baby Gone series.

Jane

[colomom]

I'm with you -- no resemblence other than blond hair!! Not getting that -- we believe what we want to believe I guess - seems to be lots of that going around.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/colomom/eeek.gif

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/colomom/nono.gif

[angelmom]

Coincidence maybe, but I don't have a lot of respect for the production company who is making it. Talk about bad timing.

Why? A movie with a 10/19/07 release date that's based on a book was obviously in production ages before anyone ever heard of Madeline McCann. Children go missing all the time. At what point were they supposed to put the brakes on a multi-million dollar project? The first day she went missing? The first month?

Now that it's become an ongoing international story, they've decided to hold the opening. Personally I think that's more than considerate. A lot of people have their livelihood riding on these types of investments, and you don't get it back just because a little girl in Portugal disappeared.

It's bad luck for them that some audiences would hold it against them. I feel for anyone who was getting paid even partially on a percentage of the box office, b/c there might not ever be one. There might be actors who were counting on this to be their big break. Investors will lose everything they put into the project.

But I certainly can't hold it against them that they didn't have a crystal ball to predict this.

[CaliKid]

Yes, I do agree that it seems really bad luck that the picture, not based on the McCann story, was ready to come out at this time. I admire Ben Affleck for holding off on its release.

[Elphaba]

I just realized something: come the new Law & Order franchise season, you know there is a high possiblity that the McCann backstory will be used to craft out an episode. As their production guote points out: their stories are ripped from the headlines... they have been doing it going on 17 or 18 years. They did an ANS-ish episode mere months after ANS's death... they have even done a Natalee Holloway-ish episode.

The storyline from the Affleck movie is pure coincidence... but the issue over when to release it so as not to look insenstive and such, is taking a toll on when Affleck can get his work out there. I really can see a double stanards issue coming into play... because I can bet you if L&O does do a McCannish story, not many people will blink a critical eye at it, there will be no qualms about releasing the episode or not, and it would probably go on to pull down good ratings as it has always done in the past when tackling sensitive ongoing cases.

[colomom]

Not much of a delay....opens October 19th...

Just saw an ad on local Denver TV.

[Pocono Sleuther]

Just freaky! :eek:


ITA!!! I saw the write ups for this a short while ago and was shocked. I thought it was based on the Mc's case. Weird.

[angelmom]

Obviously it is not based on MM, just a really creepy coincidence. But maybe that will be a blessing in disguise. Perhaps the storyline will renew interest for those who have lost hope or have given up following the news about Madeline. It's possible that a slight plot twist might jog someone's real life memory or give detectives something new to think about.

I know that I felt very strange reading Jodi Picault's 19 Minutes just days after the Virginia Tech shootings. Although it wasn't based on that (obviously), there were many, many creepy similarities, down to the orange ribbons hung in memory of the dead students. In some ways it helped me process what had happened, and also to remember that the family of the killer was grieving as well.

[L L & S]

I just realized something: come the new Law & Order franchise season, you know there is a high possiblity that the McCann backstory will be used to craft out an episode. As their production guote points out: their stories are ripped from the headlines... they have been doing it going on 17 or 18 years. They did an ANS-ish episode mere months after ANS's death... they have even done a Natalee Holloway-ish episode.

The storyline from the Affleck movie is pure coincidence... but the issue over when to release it so as not to look insenstive and such, is taking a toll on when Affleck can get his work out there. I really can see a double stanards issue coming into play... because I can bet you if L&O does do a McCannish story, not many people will blink a critical eye at it, there will be no qualms about releasing the episode or not, and it would probably go on to pull down good ratings as it has always done in the past when tackling sensitive ongoing cases. I am a huge L & O fan. I just thought I would add to this a little. They have also done :

Michael Jackson type story
ANS as you stated
JonBenet Ramsey type story Staring Liza Minelli as "Amberly's" mother
Howard Stern type story
Terri Shivo type story
and they have a reoccurring character named Faith Yancy (who is an overdone Nancy Grace)... though recently I saw Nancy Grace on an episode as herself.

For anyone who watches Damages, Greta has a reoccurring spot in the first season of that show on Fox. IMO she shouldn't try to act.

Sorry to drift o/t.

I read the story about the Affleck movie being held back way back in the beginning of Maddie's case when the story broke all over the place. I read it on a news site in the Entertainment section of a British online paper IIRC. I'm sorry I do not have a link for you.

[iNTERESTEDWOMAN]

This movie is based on a book by my favorite author, Dennis Lehane, and was written many years ago. It was my favorite book in this author's series, which features these particular characters. Should be a great movie.

Lehane is also the author of Mystic River, of which the movie was based. That book was not part of the Gone Baby Gone series.

Jane

So Miss Jane, How does the book end? Was the girl found alive? Since the book was written years ago, maybe Maddies disappearance was based on the book...

ETA: By the way, I think the little actress looks a lot like Madeline as well.

[L L & S]

I heard an ad for this movie on CTV today. Did anyone else?

[angelmom]

According to some forum posts on imdb.com, it is being delayed in the UK, but is already being screened here.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0452623/board/nest/85608253

"Without giving too much away, the ending is good and avoids the typical 'Hollywood Happy Ending' TM. When the film is eventually released in the UK (Its release is postponed, correctly in my opinion, due to the ongoing McCann case) it really should be a must see."

[Jeana (DP)]

I don't understand why anyone would view a movie like this????? THIS is entertainment??? :confused: :confused: :confused:

Abducted children are now being used as a form of entertainment. I'll never get over this.:snooty:

[daffodil]

I don't understand why anyone would view a movie like this????? THIS is entertainment??? :confused: :confused: :confused:

Abducted children are now being used as a form of entertainment. I'll never get over this.:snooty:


I agree.It never ceases to amaze me what passes for entertainment these days :waitasec:

[angelmom]

I don't understand why anyone would view a movie like this????? THIS is entertainment??? :confused: :confused: :confused:

Abducted children are now being used as a form of entertainment. I'll never get over this.:snooty:

I understand your POV, but why is it any different than any other crime drama? Murder mysteries, action films where people are injured or killed, war movies...even dramas where a character deals with depression or loss.

They are all upsetting to some people. But can you imagine life with none of the books or movies that deal with any of these subjects? It would be pretty empty.

[AfterMidnight]

I don't understand why anyone would view a movie like this????? THIS is entertainment??? :confused: :confused: :confused:

Abducted children are now being used as a form of entertainment. I'll never get over this.:snooty:

It is said that art mimics life, portrays it the way it is. There are times, however, and this appears to be one, when life mimics art. Another case was the Titanic.

BTW, this isn't the first firm made about child abduction. The first one I saw was about Eton Patz and there have been others. I will probably watch it and perhaps bring one of my older grandchildren. I believe they need to know what really goes on in this world.

[Jeana (DP)]

I understand your POV, but why is it any different than any other crime drama? Murder mysteries, action films where people are injured or killed, war movies...even dramas where a character deals with depression or loss.

They are all upsetting to some people. But can you imagine life with none of the books or movies that deal with any of these subjects? It would be pretty empty.

Well its different because it involves children being abducted usually, for no other reason except sexual abuse. So, personally I can watch an action film or even a war movie and be somewhat detacted; however, I can't get excited to go and pay my $10, buy some popcorn and sit down and watch some child being abducted, raped and murdered. I suppose the movies that deal with "depression or loss" would be the families after this movie, huh?

And, yeah, I could imagine life with none of the books or movies that deal with this subject.

[ThoughtFox]

Jeana: I'm with you - it's not only distressing and depressing, you just wonder how many child pornographers and pedophiles would rush to see a movie like that (alot of them, I bet).

No way I'd ever watch it. :(

[angelmom]

Jeana: I'm with you - it's not only distressing and depressing, you just wonder how many child pornographers and pedophiles would rush to see a movie like that (alot of them, I bet).

No way I'd ever watch it. :(

It is actually getting great reviews. I don't think the focus is on the little girl much at all...more on the detectives and the drug addicted mother.

It got an R rating for violence, drug content, and pervasive language. Sounds like your basic action flick.

I think the kidnapping is just the background for the detective story, and the only reason it got this kind of PR is b/c of Madeline.

I can't wait to see it. I loved Mystic River.

ETA: Jeana, I didn't mean just books and movies about kids. I meant imagine the world with no books or plays or movies that have death or murder or suicide or mental illness or inappropriate sexual relationships, etc. Erase all of Shakespeare, and almost every other book and movie I can think of. Including most of the Disney movies!

[Rino]

ETA: Jeana, I didn't mean just books and movies about kids. I meant imagine the world with no books or plays or movies that have death or murder or suicide or mental illness or inappropriate sexual relationships, etc. Erase all of Shakespeare, and almost every other book and movie I can think of. Including most of the Disney movies!
Well, I for one can do very well with no fiction out there relating to the harm of children as well as inappropriat sexual relationships. I do not find them in the least entertaining in-as-much the reality of such horrors do exist and need not be exploited for entertainment - jmo.

[Jeana (DP)]

Well, I for one can do very well with no fiction out there relating to the harm of children as well as inappropriat sexual relationships. I do not find them in the least entertaining in-as-much the reality of such horrors do exist and need not be exploited for entertainment - jmo.

Agreed!!

[Trino]

I just saw Gone Baby Gone, and I would definitely recommend it.

Yes. It deals with child abduction (2 cases), although the children are not at the center of the movie. The movie is more about adult connections. One child has no part. The other has only a brief (less than 5 minutes) part. No child abduction is not shown; there's no screaming child or anything like that, nor is there any sexual or other abuse shown.

The original abduction case is a real twist. I never would have suspected the ending.

I noted that one poster called this a happy ending. Not exactly.

See it. You'll be glad you did. I think it's a candidate for an academy award.

[philamena]

Trino,
My best friend saw the movie tonight and she loved it. She's also following Maddie's disappearance and said the movie isn't making light of child abductions nor does it make light of child disappearances.

[Barnaby]

McCanns made a big deal of thanking Ben Affleck only a couple of weeks ago for delaying the release of this movie, it's out already! To what lengths will they not go to have a paper headline!

[jaybird]

I saw Gone Baby Gone tonight, and I knew well aware that there's talk about a connection between this and the McCann case. Well, not really, in my opinion. It was a gritty rough around the edges movie, but I agree, I think it'll be up for an oscar.

This movie isn't just for the pedophiles or whatever someone said.

[txsvicki]

McCanns made a big deal of thanking Ben Affleck only a couple of weeks ago for delaying the release of this movie, it's out already! To what lengths will they not go to have a paper headline!

I'll be really interested in hearing about the plot and how it ends. Maybe it will shed more light on why the McCanns are making this all about them. Does anything in the book or the movie point towards one of the parents and make them look even more guilty or could it give some abductor ideas? Otherwise, I would think that the movie could call even more attention to the possible abduction of Madeline even if the movie isn't about her at all.

[poco]

I just saw Gone Baby Gone, and I would definitely recommend it.

Yes. It deals with child abduction (2 cases), although the children are not at the center of the movie. The movie is more about adult connections. One child has no part. The other has only a brief (less than 5 minutes) part. No child abduction is not shown; there's no screaming child or anything like that, nor is there any sexual or other abuse shown.

The original abduction case is a real twist. I never would have suspected the ending.

I noted that one poster called this a happy ending. Not exactly.

See it. You'll be glad you did. I think it's a candidate for an academy award.

Thanks for sharing this. My hubby said he wanted to go see it. I can't stand and refuse to watch movies where any child abuse is shown - It sounds from your post though, that I can handle this one. Thanks!

[Trino]

The movie begins after the abduction, and there is no child shown being abused, although there is one extremely quick scene from the seond abduction that could be upsetting. It is only a flash, however, and the emphasis is not upon the child but upon the abductors and police. The only time a child is shown is, basically, sitting down on a chair/sofa - not even a speaking part, if I recall correctly.

The McCanns would not fit the movie because the characters are nearly all from the fringes of society. Definitely R rated because of language and shoot 'em up violence among adults. The only fit to the McCanns is a physical resemblance of the little girl to Madeline.

You come away from the movie with a changed perspective of parenting. (No, I''m not giving away anything.)

[angelmom]

McCanns made a big deal of thanking Ben Affleck only a couple of weeks ago for delaying the release of this movie, it's out already! To what lengths will they not go to have a paper headline!


My understanding is that it has been delayed opening in the UK...til December IIRC.

[LionRun]

My daughter and I saw Gone Baby Gone today, and I thought it was a very good movie. The acting was excellent, and the story line and plot were also outstanding. There was so much about it that seemed to be quite realistic, and I would see it again. I hope it does come up for an Oscar--I believe it is a candidate.

Lion

[Zelda]

and it is an excellant film. Well directed, well acted (particularly Casey Affleck
who was sooo goood) There is violence and sex and language to object to so I wouldn't advise any one who dislikes them to see the movie.

But its a real gem of a movie it's worth seeing.

Yes, the kidnapped girl in the movie does resemble Madeleine but she is seen so seldom that I almost overlooked it.

Not for the faint of heart. Lehane's nitty gritty Boston -- a neighborhood where every one knows everyone -- the setting is like that in Mystic River.

What I wasn't prepared for was Casey Afflex's character and what he believed in at the end. He makes a moral judgement. So do the characters in Mystic River but they there they don't follow the teachings of the church.
Both endings work.

[Gina_M]

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) President and CEO Ernie Allen today praised director Ben Affleck for producing the new film, “Gone Baby Gone,” which tells the fictional story of the abduction of a child in Boston.

http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/NewsEventServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=3446

[angelmom]

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) President and CEO Ernie Allen today praised director Ben Affleck for producing the new film, “Gone Baby Gone,” which tells the fictional story of the abduction of a child in Boston.

http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/NewsEventServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=3446

Gina, thank you for that link. It has some good statistics.

It also helped assuage any guilt I was feeling for wanting to see the movie so badly. :angel:

[MrsG728]

seriously, when I clicked on her picture, I gasped all the air out of the room. I find the resemblance uncanny, and her hand position on her hair... *creepy*

sorry I am creeped out by this :sick:

[dingo]

I see what you mean MrsG.