Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (Sidney Lumet)

First and above all "Before the Devil knows you're Dead" is living proof that, although now into his eighties, Sidney Lumet (12 angry men, Dog Day Afternoon, Network, Gloria, Night Falls on Manhattan) hasn't lost his edge.

The first five minutes of the gory, dark and twisted tale of greed and betrayal, introduce us to a naked, overweight corporate executive for a large New York real-estate firm, Andy (Philip Seymour Hoffman) in the heat of passion with his high-maintenance trophy wife, Gina (Marisa Tomei). Quickly, we realize that, along with his unflatteringly figure, Andy's life if far from picture perfect: an appreciable portion of his six figure salary goes up his nose, into his arm and into the lavish lifestyle Gina has become accustomed to.

Conveniently, Hank (Ethan Hawke), Andy's younger, good-for-nothing brother has financial troubles of his own, albeit of a more subtle sort (child support, school tuition and probably a considerable liquor bill at Mooney's). So Andy, who's always imagined himself the responsible, successful and smart brother, enlists the assistance of his struggling brother in hatching what's supposed to be the perfect, victimless solution to all their troubles: Hank will rob a “mom and pop” jewellery store — their own mom and pop’s (Albert Finney and Rosemary Harris) jewelry store.

The the title of the film, taken from the end line of an old Irish toast, "May you be in heaven half an hour, before the devil knows you're dead" is spot on and more than appropriate.