IMDb > Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007) More at IMDbPro »

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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007) -- When two brothers organize the robbery of their parents' jewelery store the job goes horribly wrong, triggering a series of events that sends them, their father and one brother's wife hurtling towards a shattering climax.
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007) -- Clip: A mom and pop operation
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   33,115 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Kelly Masterson (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Before the Devil Knows You're Dead on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 September 2007 (France) more
Genre:
Tagline:
No one was supposed to get hurt. more
Plot:
When two brothers organize the robbery of their parents' jewelery store the job goes horribly wrong, triggering a series of events that sends them, their father and one brother's wife hurtling towards a shattering climax. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
11 wins & 12 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(51 articles)
The Missing Person: Michael Shannon
 (From Tribeca Film. 18 November 2009, 5:45 AM, PST)

tMF Featured Trailer: Ethan Hawke rocks in Daybreakers!
 (From The Movie Fanatic. 1 November 2009, 6:36 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Another Sidney Lumet Masterpiece more (232 total)
US TV Schedule:

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Antes que el diablo sepa que has muerto (Mexico) (Spain) [es]
7h58 ce samedi-là (France) [fr]
Antes que el diablo sepa que estás muerto (Argentina) (festival title) [es]
Antes que o Diabo Saiba que Morreste (Portugal) [pt]
Antes que o Diabo Saiba que Você Está Morto (Brazil) (festival title) [pt]
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (Denmark) (DVD title) [da]
Mielött az ördög rádtalál (Hungary) [hu]
Nez dábel zjistí, ze ses mrtvej (Czech Republic) [cs]
Onora il padre e la madre (Italy) [it]
Prin o Diavolos katalavei oti pethanes (Greece) [el]
Relaciones peligrosas (Peru) [es]
Seytan duymadan önce (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Tödliche Entscheidung (Germany) [de]
more
MPAA:
Rated R for a scene of strong graphic sexuality, nudity, violence, drug use and language.
Runtime:
117 min | Canada:123 min (Toronto International Film Festival)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
One of two films released in the same year co-starring Philip Seymour Hoffman which center around sibling relationships. The other is The Savages (2007) more
Goofs:
Factual errors: When Justin gives Andy a shot, the constricting band is not removed before injecting. It is incorrect and at least could damage the vein. more
Quotes:
Dex: 'Sorry' ain't gonna pay the bills, Chico! more
Movie Connections:
References Blame It on Rio (1984) more
Soundtrack:
Carolina Jasmine more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
127 out of 221 people found the following comment useful.
Another Sidney Lumet Masterpiece, 18 September 2007
10/10
Author: Greg Magne (grmagne@yahoo.com) from Toronto, ON, Canada

What an extraordinary crime thriller!! My wife and I saw this at the Toronto International Film Festival last week and it was far and away the best movie in an exceptionally strong festival. It's already my second favourite film of all-time after DR. STRANGELOVE and I was definitely on an emotional high as I walked home and discussed the film with my wife.

I don't want to spoil the plot because thrillers of this calibre are best enjoyed without preconceptions. A synopsis that I'd feel comfortable sharing is that two brothers, played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke, are planning to rob a jewellery store in Westchester, New York. The film bounces back and forth in time over approximately a two week period of time (before, during and after the robbery), and one key scene is repeated at least three times. Ordinarily, that could disrupt the momentum of a film but that never happens during this masterpiece. The excitement, the tension, and even the quality of the acting only seemed to get better as the film progressed. By the end, I was on the edge of my seat breathlessly waiting to see how it would all wrap up. I know that I've used a few clichés in this post, but I literally was on the edge of my seat. I should mention that the non-linear storyline is quite easy to follow. This isn't the sort of movie where you'll overhear audience members asking their friend to explain the plot during the movie.

The acting is absolutely brilliant all-around, and I doubt I would have the same admiration for the film if the casting hadn't been so perfect. A tiny complaint is that Hoffman and Hawke don't look like brothers, but that's a minor quibble that I can easily overlook. Hoffman was at his very best and some of his scenes with Hawke were positively electric. Marisa Tomei (as Hoffman's wife) and Albert Finney (as the father of Hoffman & Hawke) are also very good in supporting roles. Even some cameo performances were so impressive that I can still remember every remark, gesture and facial expression by Brian O'Byrne and Michael Shannon – absolute perfection. The robbery scene felt more authentic than any other cinematic robbery scene I've ever watched, and I had the same feeling of authenticity in most scenes, especially the ones with Hoffman. The music helped to build up the tension throughout the movie, often the same notes played over very effectively. I had the music playing in my head the following day, even as I sat through other films. In addition to my minor complaint at the beginning of this paragraph, there was one plot twist that felt a bit unbelievable (major spoiler, so I can't describe the scene). Otherwise, this film is pretty darn close to perfect.

There were about a dozen great films at the festival that I would enjoy watching a second time but BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD stands in a league of its own. As an aside, the director Sidney Lumet spoke before the film and he introduced Marisa Tomei and Ethan Hawke onto the stage. Tomei didn't speak and she acted a bit shy so Lumet asked "Can you believe that someone so beautiful could be so camera-shy?" That comment is quite ironic considering the graphic opening scene!!

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)
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This movie lies abouit Brazil luisfal
Was this movie supposed to be funny? yoshi_bignose
Something that's bugging me *spoiler* drlyon
Need one minute recap, please ggrosz
The Opening Scene.... *Spoilers* (think about it) Ahlberg14
Absolutely loved it! joshg91362
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