Casey Affleck has explained that his Massachussetts childhood was crucial for his role in Gone Baby Gone.
The Dennis Lehane adaptation opens in the UK on Friday June 6th and sees Affleck as earnest private investigator Patrick Kenzie, charged with the finding of a missing four-year-old girl.
And with his character contracted by the missing girl's family as a link to the criminal underworld in Boston, the Oscar-nominated actor explained that his own roots were essential for taking the role.
"I had the advantage of having grown up in Boston, as it plays an important part in the movie," he explained when asked about his research methods before taking the part.
"The character had to fit in because Ben had cast a lot of non-actors from Boston and I think I would have had trouble had I not actually been from there."
Amy Ryan was Oscar-nominated for her role as the child's drug addict mother and Affleck paid tribute to her ability to inhabit the unsympathetic character.
"With Amy, it's a testament to what a good actress she is because she's not from the area but she more than fitted in," he said.
"She ended up epitomising the community by the end of the movie."
Gone Baby Gone is Affleck's brother Ben's feature directorial debut and its leading man said it was "exciting" to work alongside a family member.
"I knew that he would do a really good job," explained Casey Affleck.
"And I knew he had good taste!" he joked at his own casting.
Gone Baby Gone is released on June 6th.
05/06/2008 00:01:01
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