I recall reading a story about a football scout who was watching practice highlights of a college wide receiver, but he was immediately mesmerized by a then unknown quarterback named Aaron Rodgers. He saw Rodgers throw once and immediately declared him a future first-round pick.

This is a feeling I got when watching Ben Affleck’s directorial debut “Gone, Baby, Gone,” which left me captivated. This movie is already on my list of one of the most re-watchable movies.

What I loved about the movie “Gone, Baby, Gone” is the moral ambiguity that leaves you questioning whether Patrick Kenzie made the correct decision. The audience isn’t being spoonfed the typical direct, cliched ending, but a future dialogue of what is right and wrong.

When this movie was released, Ben Affleck didn’t have the best reputation, including being involved with the critically panned “Gigli” a few years earlier. “Gone, Baby, Gone” astounded me, and I felt Affleck should stick solely with directing. If anything, I thought his name would be a detriment to his talent as a director.

Affleck’s directing style is more slow-paced, but is never boring, and has spikes of action that don’t feel forced. I can’t say the same for Dennis Lehane’s novel, however. I know what happens at the beginning and end, but could not tell you what happened in the middle.

There were subplots that, rightfully so, did not make it in the movie. There were also too many characters that were introduced confusingly, and I stopped caring about what was happening in the book.

The prose wasn’t the issue, though, and had some mesmerizing lines, such as describing the loud silence of a missing child. But the writing did not add up cohesively to a clear and concise story.

Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan (who plays Angie Gennaro) have great chemistry while also displaying a complex relationship. I never saw them as strictly a couple or coworkers, but a blend where the line blurred. In the book, they came across as a normal couple who worked together and bickered. It felt more convenient compared to the movie.

Amy Ryan was also phenomenal as Helene McCready. You just loved to hate her character, and because of her on-screen presence, her Oscar nomination was well-deserved.

Titus Welliver also gives a touching performance as Lionel McCready. You didn’t see just acting when he was on the screen, but that he genuinely cared for his niece, Amanda.

In the book, there was more screaming with Lionel. The book character definitely had moments of emotion, but Welliver encapsulates it better through the movie.

Finally, Casey Affleck deserved an Oscar nomination, even though it was more of a quiet, nuanced role. He plays somewhat of a straight-man surrounded by high-emotion characters. However, he plays it perfectly while still harnessing a “don’t mess with me” attitude. He also bounces off well with Monaghan, and they make a powerful duo that, unfortunately, you feel sad to see it end.