The Rise and Fall of Joe Coughlin: A Gangster's Tale

In 2016, Ben Affleck faced a string of box office disappointments. His portrayal of Batman in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" was well-received, but the film itself underperformed, signaling trouble for the DC Extended Universe. His original action thriller, "The Accountant, " received mixed reviews but managed to secure a sequel years later. Affleck's passion project, "Live by Night, " set in 1926 during Prohibition, follows Joe Coughlin, a Boston bank robber who builds a rum-running empire in Florida and falls for Cuban criminal Graciela Corrales, played by Zoe Saldaña. Despite Affleck's previous success with "Argo, " "Live by Night" flopped, marking his first directorial failure. The film is based on Dennis Lehane's 2012 novel, part of a trilogy centered on the Coughlin family in the early 20th century. Lehane, also from Boston, prefers to see the books as standalone stories connected by family ties. Affleck's directorial debut, "Gone Baby Gone, " adapted Lehane's detective novel and was successful, but "Live by Night" did not fare as well.Lehane's career began with procedural and thriller novels, but he ventured into literary fiction with "The Given Day, " a 700-page epic set in post-World War I Boston. The novel follows Luther Laurence, a Black man seeking a fresh start, and Danny Coughlin, Joe's older brother involved in the 1919 Boston police strike. Lehane's skill in weaving complex narratives shines in this book, which remains one of his best works. "The Given Day" explores themes of American capitalism and organized crime, similar to "The Godfather. " The trilogy's second book, "Live by Night, " focuses on Joe Coughlin's rise and fall, with a romantic subplot that some find trite. The final book, "World Gone By, " delivers a bleak ending where Joe meets a grim fate, reminiscent of other classic gangster stories. Despite its flaws, "Live by Night" offers a glimpse into Lehane's ability to craft compelling gangster tales. The trilogy's conclusion, "World Gone By, " is particularly noteworthy for its poignant and mournful ending, which leaves a lasting impression.