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What Doesn't Kill You (2008)

tomatometer

82

Average Rating: 6.5/10
Critic Reviews: 11
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 2

No consensus yet.

audience

46

liked it
Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 6,661

My Rating

Movie Info

Inspired by his own tough childhood on the unforgiving streets of South Boston, director/co-screenwriter (along with Paul T. Murray and Donnie Wahlberg) Brian Goodman's tough-talking crime drama follows the journey of two childhood friends as they attempt to sever their powerful underworld ties. Ever since they were just young kids, Brian (Mark Ruffalo) and Paulie (Ethan Hawke) have always watched out for one another. From the petty crimes and misdemeanors of childhood to more serious criminal

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Drama

Brian Goodman, Donnie Wahlberg, Paul T. Murray

Apr 28, 2009

Yari Film Group

Cast

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (12) | DVD (1)

The overfamiliarity of What Doesn't Kill You is redeemed by a full-scale performance from Mark Ruffalo.

December 19, 2008 Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | Comment
Christian Science Monitor
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I thought that Brian Goodman managed to put us in this hardscrabble South Boston neighborhood.

December 15, 2008 Full Review Source: At the Movies | Comment
At the Movies
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Nothing really going on here

December 15, 2008 Full Review Source: At the Movies | Comment
At the Movies
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It feels, if not like real life, at least like a movie you haven't seen before.

December 12, 2008 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | Comment
Los Angeles Times
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This is a rare case of a movie that improves dramatically as it goes along.

December 12, 2008 Full Review Source: New York Post | Comment
New York Post
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The territory is familiar, both geographically and thematically. But that doesn't detract from its authenticity and power.

December 12, 2008 Full Review Source: USA Today | Comment
USA Today
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For a true-crime story, there's surprisingly little dramatic arc.

June 7, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comments (2)
Movie Metropolis

Kill You, while stewing in the juices of unapologetic formula, is a more of a direct injection of stark criminal behavior punctuated by exhilarating performances and a soulful dedication to the moody rhythms of despair.

April 21, 2009 Full Review Source: DVDTalk.com | Comment
DVDTalk.com

A mostly gripping, well-acted and surprisingly engrossing crime drama. Mark Ruffalo delivers an Oscar worthy performance that's both sensitive and surprisingly moving.

January 31, 2009 Full Review Source: NYC Movie Guru | Comment
NYC Movie Guru

The film is caught in the tension between wanting to provide depth of social implication and gunplay action but the symbiosis doesn't multiply the effect.

January 24, 2009 Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | Comment
Cinema Signals

Goodman doesn't allow even a hint of postmodernism or self-consciousness to creep into What Doesn't Kill You, and though the movie's various heists and shootouts are gripping, they aren't especially kinetic or stylish.

December 19, 2008 Full Review Source: AV Club | Comment
AV Club

Been there, seen that-many times-is the best one can say for this wholly predictable autobiographical account of a life in crime.

December 17, 2008 Full Review Source: Film Journal International | Comment
Film Journal International

...undoubtedly benefits from Ruffalo's electrifying turn as Brian...

December 14, 2008 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | Comment
Reel Film Reviews

The film is well done, gritty and raw, clearly showing the desperation in a city where opportunities are limited and crime is just another job. Ethan Hawke is a pretty risky choice as he just screams supermodel, not gangster, but after a bit of drooling,

December 13, 2008 Full Review Source: UGO | Comment

I guess I should just be happy it didn't end up worse and hope these guys don't come hurt me for saying all this.

December 12, 2008 Full Review Source: Can Magazine | Comment
Can Magazine

It's admirable that Brian Goodman came back from life on the streets, two jail terms and a bad drug habit to make a movie, but considering its real life genesis the movie feels awfully warmed over

December 12, 2008 Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | Comment
Reeling Reviews
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for What Doesn't Kill You

Interesting, and worth while, crime drama about small time thieves in Boston. This is well made, and the acting is very good. A little slow at times, but the overall story is decent. Bottom line: the moral of this story is - crime does not pay.

May 23, 2011
itsjustme2004

Super Reviewer

Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Ethan Hawke, Amanda Peet, Will Lyman, Brian Goodman, Donnie Wahlberg, Angela Featherstone, Edward Lynch, Bates Wilder Director: Brian Goodman Summary: Partners in crime Paulie (Ethan Hawke) and Brian (Mark Ruffalo) find themselves at odds after years of pulling dangerous jobs, surviving turf

August 25, 2009
LWOODS04
♥˩ƳИИ ƜѲѲƉƧ♥

Super Reviewer

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