For a film so quiet in procedure the presentation is pretty damn loud giving us an American crime thriller the likes that hasn't been done so low key yet intensely gripping in a long while. When a high-stakes poker game is robbed by two armed gunmen, Jackie Cogan is sent to clean up the mess and find out who's responsible. While the thieves Frankie and Russell are celebrating their achievements unaware of Cogan's presence and the holder of the game, Markie Trattman's who previously robbed one of his own games violent encounter. Soon Frankie realizes the situation he's gotten himself into, the serious rate of return those he robbed want and aware that time is running short for him and everyone else involved. What seems like at first a dream way out of a poor and shady life changes into a tragic demise as Cogan himself sets out to even the score. With thieves, killers and contacted hit-men all out to in full force, the key thing for all of them is the fact that it's all only business.
Though not the first on screen, Brad Pitt as Jackie Cogan is full on with suave and charm (as much as a killer can muster anyway) and would usually steal the show if the other performances weren't just as strong, but Pitt is a stand out point of brilliance to start off the praise of this shining cast. Not as prominent as Pitt in Hollywood but in this he's equally as brilliant. Scoot McNairy plays one of the two thieves set up to fall from the begging, with emotional strength and sheer likable character, Frankie is a character who gives the story is strong and dramatic lead. Ben Mendelsohn gives another likable and low life character with his performance of Frankie's partner in crime Russel, his drug fueled comedy drives some likability but the thieving dreamers are an entertaining twosome. James Gandolfini plays the now alcoholic contract killer Mickey who in Jackie's eyes has let himself go, for a killer he gives the loud mouth ex con a dramatic back story and maybe not a likable one but one hell of an interesting character. Ray Liotta plays the man who talked to much Markie Trattman, who once ripped off his own high stakes game to turn a profit, though when it comes round a second time he's unhappily the figure of blame, while not as present as Pitt or McNairy his early on screen time gives the film a great yet sorrowful character. Last but not least a man who seems unable to appear in a bad film, Richard Jenkins as the driver Jackie reports to with his usual dry humor present and small presence highly noticeable you can't help but applaud him as well.
Like Drive a year before it, Killing them softly is a film all about style rather than story, it's not how the characters get about vengeful undertakings and thieving schemes it's about reactions and consequences. Almost more important than the heist which starts it all is the interactions between the characters, it makes the violent events that occur more shocking and when they do take place they really stand out often with great thought into the way they're shot. If you go into this looking for a high action packed thriller try The Bourne Legacy, Taken 2 or Expendables 2 films where the story is given over purely for action, but instead of action Killing them softly gives fantastic performances, a stand out use of style and a thought provoking look into the events of one heist and it's rippling effects on the characters and their world. It's not a happy go lucky film, a film for the majority of casual audiences or something to see because you're bored, its a film to see if you enjoy films and like to read more into them and appreciate what goes into them. This is one that really should be seen if you finally want a dark thriller that's as entertaining as it is charming to the eye.
9 / 10
FIN.
Though not the first on screen, Brad Pitt as Jackie Cogan is full on with suave and charm (as much as a killer can muster anyway) and would usually steal the show if the other performances weren't just as strong, but Pitt is a stand out point of brilliance to start off the praise of this shining cast. Not as prominent as Pitt in Hollywood but in this he's equally as brilliant. Scoot McNairy plays one of the two thieves set up to fall from the begging, with emotional strength and sheer likable character, Frankie is a character who gives the story is strong and dramatic lead. Ben Mendelsohn gives another likable and low life character with his performance of Frankie's partner in crime Russel, his drug fueled comedy drives some likability but the thieving dreamers are an entertaining twosome. James Gandolfini plays the now alcoholic contract killer Mickey who in Jackie's eyes has let himself go, for a killer he gives the loud mouth ex con a dramatic back story and maybe not a likable one but one hell of an interesting character. Ray Liotta plays the man who talked to much Markie Trattman, who once ripped off his own high stakes game to turn a profit, though when it comes round a second time he's unhappily the figure of blame, while not as present as Pitt or McNairy his early on screen time gives the film a great yet sorrowful character. Last but not least a man who seems unable to appear in a bad film, Richard Jenkins as the driver Jackie reports to with his usual dry humor present and small presence highly noticeable you can't help but applaud him as well.
Like Drive a year before it, Killing them softly is a film all about style rather than story, it's not how the characters get about vengeful undertakings and thieving schemes it's about reactions and consequences. Almost more important than the heist which starts it all is the interactions between the characters, it makes the violent events that occur more shocking and when they do take place they really stand out often with great thought into the way they're shot. If you go into this looking for a high action packed thriller try The Bourne Legacy, Taken 2 or Expendables 2 films where the story is given over purely for action, but instead of action Killing them softly gives fantastic performances, a stand out use of style and a thought provoking look into the events of one heist and it's rippling effects on the characters and their world. It's not a happy go lucky film, a film for the majority of casual audiences or something to see because you're bored, its a film to see if you enjoy films and like to read more into them and appreciate what goes into them. This is one that really should be seen if you finally want a dark thriller that's as entertaining as it is charming to the eye.
9 / 10
FIN.
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