full title film may heaven half hour devil knows dead rewording old irish toast may food raiment soft pillow head may  years heaven devil knows dead first time screenwriter kelly masterson with modifications director sidney lumet concocted melodrama explores fragmented family become external forces drive members unthinkable extremes film viewer allowed witness gradual nearly complete implosion family much used but here sensible manipulation flashbackflash forward technique storytelling repeatedly offering differing vantages characters central incidents drive rather harrowing tale see motivations players case robbery gone wrong br br andy hanson philip seymour hoffman wealthy executive married emotionally needy gina marisa tomei addicted expensive drug habit life beginning crumble needs money andys neredo well younger brother hank ethan hawke life ruins  divorced shrewish wife martha amy ryan behind alimony child support borrowed friends needs money andy proposes lowkey robbery small mall momandpop jewelry store promises safe quick cash both glitch jewelry story belongs mens parents  charles albert finney nanette rosemary harris andy advances hank cash wrangles agreement hank actual robbery though hank agrees failsafe plan hires friend take actual job hank plans driver getaway car robbery horribly botched nanette filing regular clerk shoots robber shot mess disaster unveils many secrets fragile relationships family nanette dies charles andy hank and respective partners driven disastrous ends surprises every turn br br each actors strong emotionally acrid film gives superb performances come expect hoffman hawke tomei finney ryan harris wise hand direction sidney lumet make film unforgettably powerful easy film watch film allows bravura performances demand respect film reminds us fragile many families be grady harp