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

A Year of Disappointments

In 2016, Ben Affleck faced a string of box office disappointments.

• Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice
• Affleck's portrayal of Batman was well-received.

• The film itself underperformed, signaling trouble for the DC Extended Universe.

• The Accountant
• Original action thriller.
• Received mixed reviews.

• Secured a sequel years later.

• Live by Night
• Affleck's passion project.
• Set in 1926 during Prohibition.
• Follows Joe Coughlin, a Boston bank robber.
• Builds a rum-running empire in Florida.
• Falls for Cuban criminal Graciela Corrales, played by Zoe Saldaña.
• Despite Affleck's previous success with "Argo," the film flopped.
• Marked his first directorial failure.

Dennis Lehane's Gangster Trilogy

The Books

• Live by Night
• Based on Dennis Lehane's 2012 novel.
• Part of a trilogy centered on the Coughlin family in the early 20th century.
• Lehane prefers to see the books as standalone stories connected by family ties.

• Gone Baby Gone
• Affleck's directorial debut.
• Adapted Lehane's detective novel.

• Was successful.

• The Given Day
• Lehane's 700-page epic set in post-World War I Boston.
• Follows Luther Laurence, a Black man seeking a fresh start.
• Danny Coughlin, Joe's older brother, involved in the 1919 Boston police strike.
• Explores themes of American capitalism and organized crime.

• Similar to "The Godfather."

• World Gone By
• The trilogy's final book.
• Delivers a bleak ending where Joe meets a grim fate.
• Reminiscent of other classic gangster stories.

Lehane's Career

• Began with procedural and thriller novels.
• Ventured into literary fiction with "The Given Day."
• Skill in weaving complex narratives shines in this book.
• Remains one of his best works.

Conclusion

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.