Every day, thousands of children go missing, most of whom are never found.

“Gone Baby Gone” is a crime thriller in which two private investigators, Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and Angie Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan) are hired to help solve the case of a missing four-year old girl named Amanda McCready (Madeline O’Brien).

While the concept has been done time and time again, Ben Affleck, in his directorial debut is able to keep this movie from becoming predictable. Just when you think that you have things all figured out, a twist is thrown into the mix. While this tactic does keep you engaged, at times things become a bit confusing. It’s easy to follow along with the storyline, but with so many characters floating around, it’s hard to remember who is who until you’re reminded of their faces.

For those who are planning to see this movie, be advised to pay attention.

Characters who seem to only make a cameo early on return to play bigger roles as the movie progresses.

Amy Ryan plays the missing child’s mother Helene McCready, who also happens to be a drug addict. In the first days of her daughter’s disappearance, she seems more indifferent than concerned about the welfare of her own child. Her lack of emotion easily gives viewers the sense that Amanda wasn’t actually missing, but instead given up in exchange for drugs. Sometimes you can’t help but wonder whether Amanda was better off missing than with her own mother. However, the longer her daughter remains missing, the more of a mother she seems to become.

Casey Affleck also delivers a remarkable performance as the slick-talking investigator who is torn between doing what his beliefs tell him is right and doing what is right for the sake of others. By the end of the movie, one thing that audiences can definitely agree on is that sometimes doing what’s right isn’t what’s best.

Veterans like Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris bring their tested and true acting skills to the cast with their expectedly golden performances.

While this movie hasn’t gained the publicity that it deserves, overall “Gone Baby Gone” is a solid film.

3 out of 4 stars