Live by Night

Live by Night 2016

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Plot Summary


Set in the 1920s, the narrative unfolds with the reflective musings of Joe Coughlin, who shares memories of his harrowing experiences in France during World War I. He witnessed many brave souls perish in vain, leading him to question the morals he once held dear. Since returning to Boston, Joe has endeavored to live a virtuous life, but fate propels him down a darker path.

In a bold move, Joe, alongside his accomplices, executes a robbery on a gangster while cleverly staging the abduction of Emma Gould. However, unbeknownst to everyone, Emma is actually Joe’s inside informant, and his feelings for her run deep. Despite being involved with Albert White (played by Robert Glenister), an Irish gang leader, Emma shares secret encounters with Joe whenever Albert is away.

During a tense dinner, Joe introduces Emma to his father, Thomas Coughlin, a police captain whose disapproval is palpable. Emma becomes visibly distressed by Thomas’s remarks, but Joe attempts to reassure her of his father’s indifference toward her. The plot thickens when Joe aligns himself with Maso Pescatore, an Italian mobster who suggests killing Albert to protect Joe’s secret affair with Emma.

As Joe and his partner Dion Bartolo execute a bank heist, chaos ensues. The robbery’s aftermath sees Joe involved in a high-speed chase with the police, culminating in a crash that leaves him temporarily unconscious. Upon regaining his senses, he witnesses the horrifying sight of a cop car engulfed in flames and hurriedly escapes.

His plans to flee with Emma shatter when he learns of her betrayal, leading to a brutal confrontation with Albert’s thugs. Just as things seem dire, Joe’s father intervenes, but Joe is arrested nonetheless. After a shrewd deal from Thomas, Joe receives a reduced sentence of three years. Upon release, Joe grapples with the loss of his father and seeks vengeance against Albert.

He relocates to Ybor City, Florida, to manage Maso’s rum operation, where he encounters Graciella, the sister of a Cuban businessman named Esteban Suarez (played by Miguel), whom Joe becomes infatuated with. The burgeoning gang war intensifies as Joe seeks retribution against Albert’s men.

As Joe forges deeper connections in the underworld, particularly with Chief Irving Figgis, a plot to establish a gambling hotel begins to unfold. Joe’s savant-like prowess in business attracts attention, including that of Graciella, who initially resists romantic advances but soon gives in.

However, darkness looms as the KKK threatens Joe’s thriving enterprises. When their intimidation tactics escalate, Joe attempts to negotiate peace, but violence prevails, leading to a confrontation that leaves one of the Klan leaders, Gary L. Smith (played by Anthony Michael Hall), dead at Dion’s hands. The fallout of this murder complicates matters further, causing Joe to confront personal demons and professional challenges alike.

While grappling with turmoil from his past, Joe discovers that his former love, Emma, is alive and well. Nevertheless, her revelation leaves him heartbroken as she admits she never reciprocated his deep feelings. Choosing to move forward, Joe and Graciella create a new life in Miami, but tragedy strikes when old ghosts emerge.

Irving, now unhinged from grief, comes seeking revenge at Joe’s home, leading to a heartbreaking end for Graciella. Left to raise their son, Tomas (played by Gabriel L. Silva), Joe reminisces about his tumultuous journey. His voiceover underscores the lessons learned, promising to nurture his son in the hopes of a brighter future and keeping the memory of those lost alive as he explains that Heaven is often what we make of our existence on Earth.

Timeline


Joe Coughlin's Reflections

In the 1920s, Joe Coughlin reflects on his harrowing experiences from World War I in France, where he witnessed many brave soldiers perish. These memories prompt him to question the morals he once held dear, setting the stage for his later choices in life.

1910s France

Return to Boston

After the war, Joe returns to Boston with a desire to lead a virtuous life. However, fate intervenes, leading him down a darker path filled with crime and deception.

Boston

The Robbery

Joe orchestrates a bold robbery of a gangster, while staging the abduction of Emma Gould. Unbeknownst to everyone, Emma is actually Joe's inside informant, and their complicated relationship begins to unfold.

Boston

Dinner with Disapproval

During a tense dinner, Joe introduces Emma to his father, Thomas Coughlin, a police captain. Thomas's palpable disapproval of Emma leads to discomfort, showing the familial tensions affecting Joe's life choices.

Coughlin Family Home

Alliance with Maso Pescatore

After becoming romantically involved with Emma, Joe aligns himself with Maso Pescatore, an Italian mobster. Maso suggests a drastic measure: killing Albert White to protect Joe's secret affair, placing Joe at a crossroads.

Boston

Bank Heist Chaos

Joe and his partner Dion Bartolo carry out a bank heist that quickly spirals into chaos. The robbery incites a high-speed chase with the police, leading to a severe crash that leaves Joe temporarily unconscious.

Boston

Confrontation and Arrest

Upon regaining consciousness, Joe witnesses a cop car engulfed in flames and manages to escape. However, when discovering Emma's betrayal, a brutal confrontation ensues with Albert's thugs, leading to Joe's arrest.

Boston

Sentenced to Three Years

With a shrewd deal from his father, Joe receives a reduced sentence of three years for his crimes. He is forced to grapple with the loss of his father while he is incarcerated.

Prison

New Beginnings in Ybor City

After his release, Joe relocates to Ybor City, Florida, to manage Maso's rum operation. Here, he encounters Graciella, the sister of a Cuban businessman, and his feelings for her begin to blossom amidst a growing gang war.

Ybor City

Gang War Escalation

As Joe seeks retribution against Albert’s men, the gang war intensifies, complicating his new life. He forms deeper connections in the underworld, particularly with Chief Irving Figgis, and begins plotting a new venture.

Ybor City

KKK Threats

The KKK emerge as a new threat to Joe's thriving enterprises, employing intimidation tactics to undermine his efforts. Joe's attempts to negotiate peace ultimately fail, resulting in tragic violence.

Ybor City

Murder and Consequences

The murder of a KKK leader by Dion escalates the fallout, complicating Joe's personal and professional life. This incident forces Joe to confront his past while grappling with the dangers in his current world.

Ybor City

Heartbreaking Reunion

In a shocking twist, Joe finds out that his former love, Emma, is still alive. However, her admission that she never loved him leaves Joe heartbroken and questioning his past decisions.

Miami

Tragedy Strikes in Miami

As Joe and Graciella start a new life in Miami, tragedy strikes when Irving, now driven by grief, seeks revenge on Joe. The resulting confrontation leads to a heartbreaking loss, leaving Joe to raise their son alone.

Miami

Reflections on a Tumultuous Journey

Left to raise his son Tomas, Joe reflects on his tumultuous journey filled with love, loss, and lessons learned. He vows to nurture his son in hopes of a brighter future while keeping the memory of those lost alive.

Miami

Characters


Joe Coughlin (Ben Affleck)

Joe Coughlin is a complex protagonist shaped by his experiences in World War I, leading him to question his moral compass. Initially striving for a righteous life, his journey into organized crime reveals his struggle between love, loyalty, and the darker sides of ambition. His character embodies the internal conflict between his past and the choices he makes for the future.

👮‍♂️ Crime 💔 Conflict 🔫 Ambition

Emma Gould (Sienna Miller)

Emma Gould is a pivotal figure in Joe's life, serving both as his love interest and a source of betrayal. Caught between her relationship with gangster Albert White and her secret affair with Joe, Emma's character highlights the challenges women faced during the 1920s. Her vulnerability and complexity drive the emotional stakes of the narrative.

💔 Love 😔 Betrayal

Thomas Coughlin (Brendan Gleeson)

Thomas Coughlin, Joe's father, is a police captain embodying the law and a significant moral figure in Joe's life. His disapproval of Joe's choices creates a rift between them, adding depth to the story's exploration of familial loyalty versus career obligations. Thomas represents the law that Joe ultimately defies in pursuit of his ambitions.

👮‍♂️ Authority 💔 Disapproval

Graciella (Zoe Saldana)

Graciella is a strong-willed character who captures Joe's heart amid chaos. Her defiance to be drawn into the criminal world reflects her complexity and resilience. As Joe's love interest in Florida, she represents a chance at redemption and stability for him, complicating the narrative with tensions stemming from Joe's criminal ties.

❤️ Love 🌹 Resilience

Dion Bartolo (Chris Messina)

Dion Bartolo serves as Joe's partner in crime, showcasing the bonds forged through shared ambitions and risks. His loyalty to Joe is put to the test as they navigate the treacherous world of crime, portraying the complexities of trust in high-stakes situations. Dion's character adds a layer of camaraderie and tension within their illicit endeavors.

💼 Partnership 🔫 Risk

Chief Irving Figgis (Chris Cooper)

Chief Irving Figgis is a law enforcement figure whose descent into violence represents the blurred lines between law and crime. His evolving relationship with Joe escalates the tensions, culminating in tragic consequences. Figgis's character reflects the darker side of loyalty and grief, integrating the themes of revenge and justice within the narrative.

🚔 Law 🔥 Grief

Setting


Time period

1920s

The 1920s, often referred to as the 'Roaring Twenties', was a period marked by significant social change, economic growth, and the emergence of organized crime in America. It was a time of prohibition, bootlegging, and a shifting moral landscape, impacting characters like Joe Coughlin as they navigated this tumultuous era.

Location

Boston, Ybor City, Miami

The movie is set across several significant locations starting with Boston, a city known for its rich history and role in American culture. Ybor City, Florida, showcases its vibrant heritage as a center for cigar manufacturing and nightlife during the 1920s. Miami represents a bustling coastal haven where Joe seeks to redefine his life amidst the chaos of the underworld.

🌆 Urban 🌴 Tropical

Themes


💔

Betrayal

Betrayal is a central theme in 'Live by Night', manifested through Joe's relationships, particularly with Emma. Her dual role as both lover and informant leads to heartache and conflict, challenging Joe's understanding of loyalty and trust. The subsequent events following this betrayal drive the narrative, culminating in tragic consequences.

⚔️

Retribution

Retribution is a driving force in Joe's journey, catalyzing his descent into the underworld. After enduring loss and betrayal, Joe's quest for vengeance against Albert fuels much of the plot, showcasing the cyclical nature of violence in organized crime. His eventual face-offs highlight the personal and moral complexities of seeking justice.

🤝

Family

Family plays an intricate role in 'Live by Night', influencing Joe's decisions from the very beginning. The strained relationship with his father and his role as a caregiver to his son Tomas reveal the personal stakes amidst a backdrop of crime. Joe's reflections emphasize the importance of legacy and the lessons passed down through generations.

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