What Doesn't Kill You Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
Two childhood friends from South Boston turn to crime as a way to get by, ultimately causing a strain in their personal lives and their friendship.
| Angela Featherstone | Katie |
| Danny Naten | Officer Callahan |
| Matthew C. Dumond | Prison Inmate |
| Michael Balcanoff | Marius |
| Leigh Belair | S.R.T. Prison Guard |
| Vic Clay | Stavos |
| Bo Cleary | Steroid Geek |
| Christopher Connolly | Mo |
| Kevin DeCoste | Young Boy |
| Roger Dillingham Jr. | Inmate, paramedic |
| Sean Patrick Doherty | Prison guard |
| Shawn Doherty | Brian's driver |
| John Fiore | Goon |
| Brian Goodman |
7.20 out of 10 (1091 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Wow!, best film this year so far.
posted on 30 Jul 2009It's not often you come across a film that just blows you away, this film does it all on every level.An Oscar winning performance by far for Mark Ruffalo, not a name I instantly new but a face I recognized from somewhere.His decent into a drug riddled alcoholic existence is a heartfelt performance that shines the brightest in this movie. The visual torment he goes through trying to improve his families financial crisis mostly brought about by his own criminal activities, drug and alcohol abuse is without doubt a blistering performance and a testament to his skills as an actor.Ethan Hawke, yet another solid supporting role that is only diminished by the screen presence of Ruffalo, but some how still manages to make an impact has a sex-addicted low-life that brings so much to the story and his relationship with Ruffalo's character.As for Brian Goodman, well again a face I definitely knew from his bad-ass performance as Ryan Price in the TV-Show 'Lost', takes a small but pivotal role in his own penned story.But it's the role of Director that he truly shows us a master-craft performance, there's no rush here, a perfect balance of character building and story telling. Allowing the characters to come alive and carry the story forward in their own time. Mr Goodman it seems is a man of many talents - Writer, Actor and Director - all I can say is, in this film all of them worked in perfect harmony.Watch it now, you won't regret it..
If What doesn't kill you makes you stronger then this movie makes me SUPERMAN!
posted on 20 Jul 2009I've seen worse but Troll 1 was better. The only thing worse then the slow boring I love my kids but am a bad guy trying to do right in a world that is holding me down was the acting. I couldn't connect with the characters at all. The movie was put together sloppy the main character went from thug with a family to a freebase crack head within a week that can't happen. The acting was bad and Ethan Hawk (for some unknown reason) keeps sniffing hard throughout the movie as if he is the one with the coke problem but his character doesn't touch the stuff (check it out it's odd). Amanda Peet .... wow I actually used to think she was hot back in the whole 10 yards days but what happened to her and the south Boston accent she was trying to portray sounded like Fran Dressier in a blender. I have wasted 2 hours on a bad story about a boring true story with the worst excuse for acting since the KaBoom commercials. Just because it is based on a true story people give it more credit then it deserves. HEY Hollywood!!! I have a true story for you!!! I wake up the sun is shining I walk outside get in my car and go to work. Then I work all day grabbing lunch at 1pm. Then I go home have dinner the I watch a movie "Whatever doesn't kill you." It was bad so I go to sleep. If anyone in Hollywood would like to purchase this true story let me know... Oh wait you need it to be written by a New kid on the block to consider it ..??? Oh well I will just keep Hanging Tough and hope that one day I will have the Right Stuff.
Excellent film that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!!
posted on 04 Jul 2009Expecting this film to be another predictable action movie, I was in for a HUGE surprise. Wow!!! Everything, the acting, writing, editing, and the music score, all made a brilliant contribution to this masterpiece which observes the childhood and lives of two relentless criminals. Mark and Ethan's stunning performance elevates the film from a standard gritty fare into an emotional, brutal, bitter realism that will hit home for so many! I would've never imagined Mark and Ethan's individual acting styles to be so forceful when combined. The two are a perfect match for this movie. Ruffalo did his homework and steals the show by giving a flawless, Oscar deserving performance as Brian Reilly, a man who feels trapped in crime to financially support his family while discreetly maintaining a growing drug addiction. Ethan Hawke was at the top of his game as Brian's non-stop, butt-kicking, pulsating, break yourself or die crime-partner, Paulie McDougan. As criminally insane as his character was at times, he was exhilarating to watch! Never a dull moment! Amanda Peet vibes well with Ruffalo. She plays the unpredictable, naive wife of a stone-cold criminal (Ruffalo)who enjoys the security of living in a big house and enrolls her son in private school. In that style of life though, nothing is guaranteed and both become overwhelmed which puts a strain on their marriage. At times he can put a wad of cash in her hand and get by with being gone half the day/night, other times he can't. She starts despising the time and energy he has to invest for the money but can't contribute enough to help keep the bills paid. This puts him between a rock and a hard place when all hell breaks loose! This is just a brief description of the film without giving away the juicy sub-plots, lol. I won't give the ending away either but I'm giving it a 10 because it doesn't get any realistic than this. I know because I've been there. I loved every thrill and emotional moment of this film and I am sure you will too
The Departed minus dialogue
posted on 02 Jun 2009It held me long enough to watch it to the end, but it was slow and very boring. Its the first movie I've seen Ethan Hawke in for a while, and I think he delivered a competent performance given the little dialogue he, or any other character, had to work with. I feel there was an attempt by the director to add some "gritty realism" to this movie (which is apparently based upon a true story). This succeeds in showing a stark and candid environment and atmosphere, but fails the movie on a whole as I found it impossible to care at all about any character in the movie. Watch the movie and let me know if you can feel the slightest glimmer of empathy for any character in it.
Reality sucks
posted on 13 May 2009Welcome to one of the most "real" films Hollywood managed to spit out in these recent years. And by "real" I don't mean only the fact it was true to it's original story.The shots of a snowy Boston, the overall tense atmosphere, the fast pacing (at some points) and Hawke's and Ruffalo's depiction of petty criminals/street thugs, all contributed to making this one seem believable and to seem to relate to any of us. *What doesn't kill you* succeeds in transmitting more than one message and to tell more than one story. It manages to include the notions of family, friendship, addiction, fear, and all of it while keeping us on the edge of our seats.**Here be Spoilers** The film doesn't really shock but imo it does leave a bad aftertaste, Ruffalo's portrayal of an addict is saddening for the viewer and so is watching him talk to his sons. However that is intended as Ruffalo managed to make Goodman look like a vulnerable man, that experiences frustration and remorse in the later stages of the film.Ethan Hawke has an easier job playing Paulie, Goodman's friend, nevertheless not easy overall, Paulie is seen with a smile on his face most of the times, whenever he isn't talking about some business and has less responsibilities than Goodman, being single. He seems to be the more lively one of the two, hesitation not being in his vocabulary.Amanda Peet plays Goodman's wife and although she sure tries, for me it wasn't a brilliant performance, there's just something about her that doesn't spell *housewife*, even in the shadow of Hawke and Ruffalo she manages a decent performance.The first title choice, aka *Real Men Cry* would of been a more inspired one as it fits the film way better, they don't only cry but they end up paying the bills too. *What doesn't kill you* has a down to earth ending without a *hurray* for the villains and although there might of been some other moral to this one I think it proves that life can be harsh on whatever side of the law you situate yourself.
Fascinating and well acted movie spoiled by poor pacing halfway through
posted on 29 Apr 2009I had no knowledge of the existence of this movie until the day I saw it, so when I started it I was pretty blown away by it. The gritty drama and really well told story of these 2 boys/men is fascinating, very well acted and initially very interesting. The score is beautiful, as is the initial pacing and storytelling. I was thinking this is one of the best movies I've seen for months, and then something odd happened.. the pacing shifted, suddenly long beautifully acted scenes were becoming clips of a few minutes here a sentence there, the character development that was so successful early on suddenly seemed to be redundant as stories become pointless and predictable. It's almost as though the movie changed to a different director and editor half-way through.I found myself caring less and less about the characters as they became victims of over-editing. The only 2 scenes that lasted more than a couple of minutes in the last third that had any 'substance' were overly dramatic if not soppy father-son scenes where all other members of the family become low priority.It's really quite a shame, I was enjoying the film so much during the first half, I was willing to give this film a 9 if only a little more of the plot would begin to unravel itself, but instead I got less plot, less character focus and more "this is bad" and "this is good" moments... It's a true pity as I shan't be recommending this movie due to it's second half.
If it were not for 2 things this film would have gad a higher grade.
posted on 25 Apr 2009I will get to the explanation or my summary in a bit.This movie is supposedly a true story,In fact it is the part fictionalized version on the Director & co-authors life. Brian Goodman,he also has a has a nice role in the film as well.Whether fact or fiction is beside the point,It is an interesting well made and acted movie. about 2 childhood friends who become petty criminals & wind up in prison for 5 years. After they get out, one tries to better himself for the benefit of his loyal wife & sons. The other does not.Mark Ruffalo is the lead who eventually reforms & Ethan Hawke is his buddy. Amanda Peet is his loyal suffering wife, also cast is Donnie Wahlburg who also co-wrote the screenplay.The acting & production is first rate.Now as to why the film does not have a higher rating from me.Towards the middle of film Mark Ruffalo (as Brian) is shot 3 times, one bullet is in his head, We never see a bandage on his head & we never know if they took the bullet out.(It was near his spinal cord)I credit this to movie magic. The big error is as follows. The film takes place over many years. However every single & I mean every single scene is in the cold ,dreary winter,.COME ON NOW,I am sure there were some nice days. It was filmed in Boston & I know Boston does have nice weather many days.This did hurt my full enjoyment of the movie & can only give it a bare passing grade.Ratings: *** (out of 4) 80 points (out of 100) IMDb 7 (out of 10)
What doesn't kill you... may bore you.
posted on 11 Apr 2009I'm not one for straight-to-DVD fare, and this reminded me why. I'll say first off, Ruffalo and Hawke are both excellent in this, but honestly, what's the point? You've basically got another crime-doesn't-pay vicious-circle yadda yadda movie about crappy people living crappy crime-ridden lives. The movie tries to make Amanda Peet trashy by giving her horrible bangs. We know that handsome, chiseled Ethan Hawke is on the wrong side of the law because he has a silver tooth. Mark Ruffalo basically goes from just a thug to a level-10 crack addict in about two scenes.This is a nicely shot, nicely cut, nicely acted movie that just doesn't have a purpose. There's no themes explored here we haven't seen covered before, and better, down to the Boston setting. It's just two hours of depression, ended by a really cheesy ending with text telling us what happened to the characters afterwards. You don't get to do that with fiction! It's pointless! Telling us with two lines of text that Mark Ruffalo became a good dad? You can tell us Ethan Hawke flew out of jail and became king of the Moon Men, because it's fiction! The whole point is to leave that up to the viewer, leave them with something to think about.Sorry if you liked this one, but there's just better ways to spend two hours of your life.
hopefully we will see more of Bryan
posted on 28 Mar 2009I have been expecting this movie to come with Bryan Goodman playing the bad guy the way he does it so well. Other guys does the bad guy act with so much tension and rage as the support, but to Bryan it comes naturally and he doesn't do much to give you the fear. He just does the act and let you fill in the rest as a viewer. Ever sense i noticed his acting from the movie The Last Castle, i new that this man will go much further. I think this movie will touch everybody no matter who you are. It is not only telling a story about those two guys, but a story about a struggle in general, no matter who you are. I love this movie because it is so much down to earth and with no bling-bling-Hollywood type of movie. This movie is about the regular people and that is why this movie went right through me. I couldn't help but notice the soundtrack that came and went giving an extra feeling to the emotions that actors gave.
Great Acting & Strong storyline
posted on 20 Mar 2009I had not seen any promos or hear about this movie movie from anyone. I picked up the DVD for one reason that it had Ethan Hawke & Mark Ruffalo in it. And boy I'll tell they have done great justice to the characters.I expected a little too much out of the movie, but I wasn't too disappointed either. Movie runs at a very decent and a balanced pace Acting, writing & directing - Yes Brian Goodman has done a good job.What impressed me the most was the acting of Ethan & Mark. The chemistry is fantastic through out the movie.I wasn't too impressed with Amanda Peet's acting. She wasn't strong enough for the character she played.The best thing out of the movie was the music score. Great work!!! All in all, a good watch. Not a great movie but still good enough..
It didn't kill me
posted on 24 Feb 2009Brian (Ruffalo) and Paulie (Hawke) are two youths who run rampant on their way to a life of crime. Based on a true story.This might have had more punch if one or both youths were famous, but that is not the case here. This is the story of some kids growing up in a bad neighborhood who seem to have no good options except to lead lives of crime. As long as the money came in from robbing people nothing changed until they got caught and were sent to prison. It is what happens in prison and afterwards when they get out that reality hits home big time. The beginning of this movie was a complete mess and maybe it was supposed to be that way, but I couldn't follow anything as the present story and flashbacks moved too fast. I almost shut this down, but there was nothing else to take its place. Boo Hoo. Anyway, the story settled down when the boys go to and get out of prison.I had to ask myself why this movie was made in the first place. Well, one reason was to maybe get Brian and Paulie (real people keep in mind) some money for all their disappointments in the past. Another: see how a family is affected by a father leading a life of crime and what happens when he tries to go straight and fails time after time. Or: to warn kids against a life of crime? All in all the movie saves itself, kinda. Amanda Peet is now a hottie. Ethan Hawke is great at these kind of crime movies. Mark Ruffalo seems to have found his niche and will probably continue with dramas along these lines. These major stars and the rest of the cast performed well. What doesn't kill you? A movie doesn't, but sometimes it seems like it will. Does it make you stronger? Hmmmm………….. Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: Yes
What Doesn't Kill You does not make you wiser but I still recommend it!
posted on 24 Feb 2009Time for "yet another cliché" time: They say "what doesn't kill you" makes you stronger. Well, the crime drama "What Doesn't Kill You" makes me "yawn"der. Not to say that I do not commend Director Brian Goodman's bravado & courageous attempt to orchestrate a film narrative based on his real-life crime & alcoholic ridden past in the streets of South Boston. However, I was sporadically bored with some misfires of "What Doesn't Kill You". Mark Ruffalo stars as Brian Reilly, the character which Goodman's past is based on. Let's say that the Reilly Factor is surrounded with: drug dealing & consuming, drunken binges, theft & larceny, adultery, and a few more "no-no" misbehaviors. The Life of Brian also consists of a beautiful & impatient wife, two innocent young songs, and Brian's partner in crime: his childhood best friend Paulie. Brian & Paulie got into being Boston Ruins already as teenagers when they started working for crime boss Pat Kelly, and it gradually spurned into a profound life of constant crime into adulthood by standing pat in continuing to work for Kelly. Brian did pick up a family along the way and Paulie picked up loose women along the way. Paulie also want a cracker? Yes, due to all the narcotic dealings Paulie scammed up in the streets of South Boston. Nevertheless, the main character & plot gun of "What Doesn't Kill You" is Brian with his constant struggle to fight the ill pills of crime & alcoholism in order to be faithful to his wife and supportive to his sons. Even through jail terms and being shot three times to near mortality, Brian still has much trouble resisting the life of Crime Brian because it is all he has ever known. Ruffalo was very effective as Brian Reilly, and Ethan Hawke was in par with Ruffalo with his killer performance as Paulie. Would of have loved to see more of Donnie Wahlberg's stellar work as Detective Moran, Goodman underdeveloped that pivotal character. Amanda Peet was moderately impressive as Brian's wife Stacy, and Brian Goodman himself was a good man acting playing the shady character Pat Kelly. However, Goodman was not so good in directing too many repetitive overwrought scenes that did not move the story in any revelatory method, and should have been charged with second-degree cinematic robbery by stealing similar dialogue from other crime-drama genre films. In his defense though, Goodman is a novice filmmaker and shows promise & potential that what doesn't kill him in the movie industry will make him a stronger director. Goodman just a few years ago was in prison, so it is a tremendous accomplishment in the life change he has endured and also in bringing it to film; so one has to admire that "Goodman Redemption" resilient quality. It will not kill you to witness "What Doesn't' Kill You" but it will not make you cinematically stronger. *** Average
solid
posted on 18 Feb 2009this is a very well done film in all aspects.the look of the film,the tone,the acting.it's based on a true story,but how much is true and how much has been tweaked for dramatic purposes is anyone's guess.regardless,it's a good film.Ethan Hake and Mark Ruffalo play two lifelong friends who grow up on the tough streets of Boston and turn to petty crime early on.eventually things spiral out of control,and one of of the friends is faced with a moral dilemma and makes a hard choice.there have been a few films set in Boston,The Departed(which i loved)being one,and Gone,Baby Gone,which was disappointing.Boston certainly has a unique look to it,which lends itself to these types of movies.both Hawke and Ruffalo are great as is Amanda Peet.for me,What Doesn't Kill you is a solid 8/10
a crazy movie!
posted on 17 Jan 2009if you haven't seen this one yet, you just got to. Ethan and Mark (mainly Ethan) simply gets into his part performing a spectacular figure with motives seems to be invented by him! his "acting" is so real, it doesn't seem at all he's there but rather invented a figure which he remarkably fits into while making the watcher really want to watch and understand it. Mark isn't put on the side by it though, they both fit into the script as two guys actually been there, it actually gives the viewer the feeling, he's not watching a movie but rather there is a cam' following these people life's though with all the film quality coming with'at. you do not feel swollen into it cause its not really a story but rather a following through the life of those two guys, even due, those almost 2 hours pass as if they were fifteen minutes and u actually can't believe, the film is ended at that. thats maybe the only deficite, cause u wished it would hold you for another hour and a half, going through they're experiences which you can't even go on without after the movie is done. this is maybe one of the best movies ever seen a specially due to Ethan's part, through some scenes are simply unbelievable, it is just to hard to be explained by words - that. it got 8, due to it's being short a bit and due to Amanda Peet's act (which was o.k after all but was a bit kept aside). other than that, a real masterpiece of acting by those two guys, and the others, just enriches the atmosphere and environment which gives a sincere powerful and overwhelming view into the American criminal's life.
Based On A True Story....
posted on 13 Jan 2009...normally indicates that the film you are about to watch is almost unbelievable - this film is an exception to the rule.Like The Departed and Gone Baby Gone, What Doesn't Kill You is an engrossing, gritty, sharply written and well-acted drama set on the mean streets of South Boston, which, by the number of movies being set there, is fast becoming as notorious as the bronx.What Doesn't Kill You has to be the film that will catapult Mark Ruffalo into the big time, his performance is sublime, he plays a character that stirs a number of emotions from inside - easily the star of this gritty, intense tale of two dysfunctional friends.
OK Movie...
posted on 08 Dec 2008This looks and feels like a TV Movie with a superior cast and soundtrack.Amanda Peet pours her heart out and gives the best performance in a supporting role. Ruffalo is a good actor but he's starting to mail his performances and looks uni-dimensional. Ethan Hawke is solid. But the story just isn't all that interesting and the treatment lacks imagination and conviction. Better writing and direction could have made this stand out but you've seen it all before.The last part of the movie begins to look more and more like these "made for TV" and "based on a true story" duds, killing what little good the movie had going for it.Some characters who might have elevated the story, such as their boss Pat are seemingly dropped halfway, when you think this could go somewhere.Hats off the the music composer. The film score, for such a small movie, is pretty cool.There have been so many movies about petty criminals and their struggle in their life of crime as well as to get out... this just doesn't rank as one of the better.
Well acted slice of life crime drama about two friends on the bottom rung trying to get ahead
posted on 30 Nov 2008Story of two guys from Boston. Both are petty criminals on the low end of the Boston crime organizations. As they try to make a human wage, both have to deal with their demons. When one decides to try for one last score the other has to decide whether to go along. Well acted and well made examination of the effects of crime on the criminals and their family. Stars Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke are excellent as the two friends who are trying to just get ahead. This is a real slice of life film (based it says on a true story) that makes you feel as though you are in and around the suburbs of Boston. I really liked this film and its often left turns that mirror the way life is. If I have any complaints its that the film at times seems to be going nowhere. Yes the characters in a way are stuck going no where, but a film shouldn't feel as though it doesn't have a point. Still the pluses out weigh the minuses and this is a film that I'm going to recommend to friends and family who want a good crime story that doesn't follow the same old path. Definitely worth a look.
Not a bad movie.
posted on 14 Nov 2008Not a bad movie. I found What doesn't kill you a okay film. What doesn't kill you" was done on the cheap. The editing and film quality could have been done better, but however, the actors more than made up with their strong performances for the films short comings. The story is interesting. The details were so well done. I would bet the script has to be based off a true story. I would bet my bottom dollar many university will use this movie as a study on how hard it is for criminals to break the cycle of crime and violence. All in all a good movie. I give this movie a seven out of ten. I got family around the Boston area and I have say I was impressed with how well the actors picked up the areas accent.
Is crime really a life choice?
posted on 04 Nov 2008Brian Goodman directs, writes and stars in this crime drama. Brian(Mark Ruffalo)and his best friend Paulie(Ethan Hawke)are two buds that grew up like brothers in the streets of Boston's underbelly of the 'south side'. Learning to live by the criminal code as street thugs, the duo's petty crimes started to grow into more serious misdemeanors. They finally stumble on that 'step-up' into organized crime under the watchful eye of crime boss Pat Kelly(Goodman). The two hone their skills, but clamor for the big bucks. Soon Brian grows weary of disappointing his wife(Amanda Peet)and his growing sons; losing his identity in drugs and dirty deeds. Paulie just wants to become his own man and keep more money in his pockets. Finally circumstances get dire and the two friends must make a big choice in which direction life will take them. Also in the cast: Donnie Wahlberg, Angela Featherstone and Will Lyman.
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And yet another kids to criminals to wake up call movie
posted on 13 Aug 2009This film is yet another rehash of that glut of films about kids who begin lives of crime early on, go to jail, and come out either enlightened or unchanged. Set in South Boston, WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU happens to star some fine actors in Mark Ruffalo, Ethan Hawke, and Amanda Peet, and their presence makes the film watchable. It is just tiresome to watch repeats an this 'bad kid' (Ruffalo) turned junkie turned convict turned negligent husband and father turned AA whose ability to make decent decisions finds him clueless until the end of the film. The flavor of South Boston and prison and petty crimes becoming major crimes is well paced by writer/director/actor Brian Goodman. But this rambling story is ultimately boring - except for the pleasure of watching Mark Ruffalo inhabit this loser of a character. An OK movie, not a great one. Grady Harp