Patrick crosses way over the line in the bathroom scene, and he knows it. In the following scene, when Remy shares his bottle of Rum, we have the morality of relativity--situational ethics--laid out by the cop. If he thinks the greater good is served, he will gladly cross the line. But that "greater good" is based on his own "ethics," not those accepted by Western culture. Otoh, Patrick is guilty and feels it. Those who criticize him for making the decision that feels honest to him, later on, have missed the point. Patrick is decency in the midst of squalor. When he explains to Doyle what he has to do, he points out that Doyle "stole" Amanda, and that he could have called Children's Services. Even Doyle admits, grudgingly, that he did it for himself. Doyle's act, which most see as love, is criminal. He has fallen prey to the ethics of his peers, while Patrick is the standard against whom the others are measured.
The film opens with the importance of family and neighborhood. As damaged as most people in the neighborhood seem to be, it's their world, and it's Patrick's world. It's where they belong. And it's a great setup for the decision Patrick makes at the climax. He is of his place and time, except for his principles. (Amy Madigan's character, Bea McCready, shows us that Patrick is not alone in his standards.) I think his decision regarding Amanda is perfectly in character, given his background and his personal standards. Whether that decision is "right" or not is part of the sequence of moral dilemmas that Lehane gives us to ponder. This is art, not life. While it's tempting to judge Patrick as if this were real life, the most we can do is ask ourselves what we'd have done in his circumstances. I'd like to think I'd have done the same thing, but it's a tough call. That's where Lehane puts us. As a piece of drama, though, it's consistent and believable. Finally, the last scene shows us that Patrick is willing to take responsibility for his choice by being a part of Amanda's life. The scene at least implies that he will be a sort of surrogate father. I think it's a compelling film, and Patrick is a compelling character.
While I'm at it, I can only praise every other aspect of this film. The writing, directing, acting, and set decoration, art direction are completely believable. I feel that we are really in the crumbier, over-crowded, insular sections of Boston, though I've never been there. Affleck is just boyish enough to make his toughness a surprise. Harris is convincingly compromised. Ryan is maybe the best of the lot as the irresponsible and crass mother. Measured against other films in this genre--not Citizen Kane--this is a 10.
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