Not everything is black and white.

That seems to be the major theme throughout the crime-filled drama, Gone Baby Gone, blurring the line between right and wrong and convoluting the viewer's sense of ethical justification.

This happens to be Ben Affleck's directorial debut, but don't let his performances in Jersey Girl and Gigli stop you from seeing the film -- it turns out that he's a better director than an actor after all. The film also has many other familiar names attached to it, including Morgan Freeman, Michelle Monaghan, and Ben's little brother, Casey Affleck.

The story, based on a novel by Dennis Lehane, is about two private detectives (Casey Affleck and Monaghan) who begin investigating a kidnapping case in Boston. The missing child is 4 years old, and as the investigators become more involved within the story, they discover an endless ring of violence, corruption and moral dilemma.

Set in a ghetto-Irish section of Boston, Casey Affleck attaches himself to the case of finding the kidnapped victim. As he is forced to dive into the underground world of drugs and thugs, he begins to forfeit his safety, his reason and even his relationship all for a little, lost girl.

The characters are excellently developed, and every person is much more complex than they appear on the surface. Freeman puts on a stellar performance as a self-righteous, but morally-twisted cop, and Casey Affleck delivers well in his starring role.

The best part of the movie is the suspenseful ending. After Casey Affleck is faced with an extreme ultimatum concerning the missing girl, the audience will leave the theater whispering about what decision they would have made in his position.You'll be left wondering, after it's all over, does the end really justify the means?

GRADE: B+