What Doesn't Kill You (2008)

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.

Director:

Brian Goodman

Writers:

Brian Goodman, Paul T. Murray

Stars:

Ethan Hawke, Mark Ruffalo, Brian Goodman

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Ruffalo	...	Brian Reilly
Ethan Hawke	...	Paulie McDougan
Amanda Peet	...	Stacy Reilly
Will Lyman	...	Sully
Brian Goodman	...	Pat Kelly
Donnie Wahlberg	...	Detective Moran
Angela Featherstone	...	Katie
Edward Lynch	...	Jackie
Michael Yebba	...	Roundman / Old Lady (as Mike Yebba)
Brian Connolly	...	Sean
Nathaniel Smyth	...	Mark (5 Years Old)
Oscar Wahlberg	...	Mark (10 Years Old)
Thomas Regan	...	Young Paulie
Johnny Serret	...	Young Brian (as Jean Pierre 'JP' Serret)
George Khoury	...	Delivery Man

Storyline

An armored car is robbed by three men. A passing police officer and one of the robbers exchange fire. The robber is Paulie. In a flashback we follow him and his closest friend, Brian, as they grow up together in South Boston. They're tough guys, thugs, doing jobs for the local boss and chaffing to do more. Paulie's the leader. Brian drinks too much and free bases, ignoring his wife and two young boys. Life-changing events lead him to try to go straight, look for work, take what comes his way, and go to A.A. meetings. He struggles. Paulie shows him the plans for the armored car job. Will they do it? "I am who I am," Brian tells his wife. Is crime his only skill?

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Plot Keywords:

drug abuse | friendship | in medias res | written and directed by cast member | lingerie slip | 

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Taglines:

They didn't choose a life of crime. They came from it.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, drug use, some violence and brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 September 2009 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Real Men Cry

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Battleplan Productions, Yari Film Group Releasing

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie is based on Brian Goodman's own life up to the mid 1990s.

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Goofs

In the scene where they were scoping out the armored truck, they start the car to follow it. However, we can see the car start rolling forward before we hear the ignition is turned and put in gear.

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Quotes

Paulie McDougan: We gotta be sharp on this one.

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Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: The Avengers Special (2012)

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Soundtracks

Put a LIttle Nasty on It
Written by James Alexander (as James Edward Alexander), Larry Charles Dodson, Jazze Pha (as Anton Phalon Alexander) & Anthony Michael Dortch
Performed by The Bar-Kays
Courtesy of Jea Right Now Records, Under license by Ford Music Services

User Reviews

Great Acting & Strong storyline

I 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..