Film Snob Reviews is run by two people. William, and of course Phoenix. We can both have the same taste in films, but then again, we both have found our differing opinions and have accepted each others’ “guilty pleasure films.” This will be our chance to give you a suggestion. Need a movie to rent this weekend? A movie night with some friends? A comfort movie after a breakup because that heart of yours is broken? No matter what the reason may be, these are all films that come from OUR suggestion boxes. Whether you watch them or not is up to you. Whether you like them or not, is something we won’t generally criticize, to each his own.

These are our Snob Suggestions…

Title:  Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
Director:  Sidney Lumet
Year: 2007
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Philip Seymour Hoffman
MPAA Rating: R

Phoenix Says: Probably one of the best films to come out in 2007 is Sidney Lumet’s Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. Starring the incomparable Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke.

He was one of the greatest directors and one of my favorites. His first film ever, back in 1957, 12 Angry Men starring the legendary Henry Fonda, to this day is one of my favorite films. And this one, the final feature film of Lumet’s career before he unfortunately passed away in April of this year, one of my favorites as well.

The premise is simple. Hawke plays Hank Hanson, a man who is, as of now, desperate for the money to pay for his daughter’s tuition to a private school she wants to go to. Hoffman plays Andy, a financial exec who gets an idea to make a few extra bucks, by robbing a jewelry store. He recruits Hank to head the robbery, but on the day of the robbery, it goes awry. Pretty soon, both of their lives becoming unfolded, and their family tearing apart at the seams as secrets and lies start to unfold.

So what is it that makes this film so fantastic? You have Hoffman’s amazing acting ability shining throughout. Hawke and him mesh so well together on screen, it almost feels natural. Marisa Tomei playing a supporting character, and at times, a nude supporting character. Hooray!

Currently on Netflix.

-Phoenix.

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