This marks Affleck's fourth directorial effort following his previous movie’s Oscar wins four years prior; he also penned the script and served as producer. The narrative draws from a book sharing the same title, centering on a World War I veteran who becomes a significant figure in organized crime. His story involves fleeing the war, developing feelings for a gangster's partner, pulling off a bank robbery, experiencing incarceration, and ultimately climbing to the pinnacle of the criminal world after suffering substantial losses. While fundamentally a revenge narrative, it doesn’t feel particularly forceful; instead, time and the progression of life shape his actions. Among Affleck's films as director, this one might be considered the weakest. It incorporates elements typical of gangster movies—gunplay, chases, vengeance, romance—but I felt that its central theme lacked substance. The performances weren’t poor, and the visuals were adequate. The movie’s duration felt excessive, but it didn't present anything fresh. It resembled a biographical account or was presented in that style, which I suspect was intentional. Even the film's conclusion seemed drawn out, almost as if to frustrate viewers after two hours of their time. The most appealing aspect for me was the depiction of the 1920s era. The story set between the World Wars and focusing on internal conflicts within the criminal world looked good onscreen. Despite having a talented cast and crew, they didn’t quite manage to create a memorable experience. While it wasn't entirely a disappointing film this year, it simply didn’t live up to expectations. It could still be worth watching if you enjoy the genre, but there’s no assurance of enjoyment. 6/10

Source on TMDB