Killing Them Softly
2012
18
Written and directed by Andrew Dominik
Starring Brad Pitt as Jackie Cogan
Scoot McNairy as Frankie
Ben Mendelsohn as Russell
Richard Jenkins as Driver
James Gandolfini as Mickey
Ray Liotta as Markie Trattman
and Sam Shepard as Dillon
I feel at a disadvantage, as I went into this film quite blind. Andrew Dominik's last film, which had the much heftier title of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, also starred Brad Pitt, and was quite the critical darling upon it's release in 2007, despite being seen by approximately 7 people and a dog when it ran in the cinema. I've not got round to seeing it yet, but apparently it's a rather drawn out affair, and, watching this film, I can believe it.
As you may, or may not, gather from the trailer, Killing Them Softly is set against the backdrop of the 2008 presidential race, and concerns the tale of a couple of no-hopers who rob a Mafia card game, and, in response, the Mafia send in Jackie Cogan (Pitt) to whack these wiseguys. What was marketed as something of a crime thriller turns out to be anything but. It has criminals in it, and I suppose it could be called a crime film in the sense that most of the events are crimes, but that isn't what the film is about. It's about appearance and reality, and people who constantly fail to live up to their aspirations. Despite a rather lean 97 minute running time, it feels like a much longer, introspective film.
That's the very thing that may sink the film, funnily enough. Similar to In Bruges, which was marketed as a wacky comedy with guns, this film is really rather blaek, and much more so than In Bruges, as this film has no surreal edge to warm to. It's not dour all the way through, but it's no laugh riot either.
The performances are very strong throughout. Pitt doesn't show up until the half hour mark, but he is magnetic as an embittered Mafia hitman, plying his trade in a world where he is becoming increasingly irrelevant. James Gandolfini, unsurprisingly another Mafia type, also impresses, but you have to wonder if he has unrealised dreams of being a romantic lead, instead doomed forever to play criminals and thugs. Ben Mendelsohn also offers some impressive light relief as probably one of the most grotesque characters in the cinema this year., although calling him 'light relief' is relatively speaking.
I digress. It's visually very appealing, with some beautiful and brutal cinematography. The writing is also very strong, with great dialogue throughout. It's also got a rather spiffing soundtrack.
Nitpicks? Well, it can be quite languid, and this caused a couple of walk-outs when I saw the film. I cannot stress enough that this film isn't very action packed or thrilling, so if that is condusive to your enjoyment of a film, I would avoid this. Otherwise, it's a very good, well made film, and I would recommend giving it a view.
(Although if you want to see an 18 rated film with loads of blodd and action, see Dredd before it's gone. It's not doing so well, and it needs the help.)
8/10
2012
18
Written and directed by Andrew Dominik
Starring Brad Pitt as Jackie Cogan
Scoot McNairy as Frankie
Ben Mendelsohn as Russell
Richard Jenkins as Driver
James Gandolfini as Mickey
Ray Liotta as Markie Trattman
and Sam Shepard as Dillon
I feel at a disadvantage, as I went into this film quite blind. Andrew Dominik's last film, which had the much heftier title of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, also starred Brad Pitt, and was quite the critical darling upon it's release in 2007, despite being seen by approximately 7 people and a dog when it ran in the cinema. I've not got round to seeing it yet, but apparently it's a rather drawn out affair, and, watching this film, I can believe it.
As you may, or may not, gather from the trailer, Killing Them Softly is set against the backdrop of the 2008 presidential race, and concerns the tale of a couple of no-hopers who rob a Mafia card game, and, in response, the Mafia send in Jackie Cogan (Pitt) to whack these wiseguys. What was marketed as something of a crime thriller turns out to be anything but. It has criminals in it, and I suppose it could be called a crime film in the sense that most of the events are crimes, but that isn't what the film is about. It's about appearance and reality, and people who constantly fail to live up to their aspirations. Despite a rather lean 97 minute running time, it feels like a much longer, introspective film.
That's the very thing that may sink the film, funnily enough. Similar to In Bruges, which was marketed as a wacky comedy with guns, this film is really rather blaek, and much more so than In Bruges, as this film has no surreal edge to warm to. It's not dour all the way through, but it's no laugh riot either.
The performances are very strong throughout. Pitt doesn't show up until the half hour mark, but he is magnetic as an embittered Mafia hitman, plying his trade in a world where he is becoming increasingly irrelevant. James Gandolfini, unsurprisingly another Mafia type, also impresses, but you have to wonder if he has unrealised dreams of being a romantic lead, instead doomed forever to play criminals and thugs. Ben Mendelsohn also offers some impressive light relief as probably one of the most grotesque characters in the cinema this year., although calling him 'light relief' is relatively speaking.
I digress. It's visually very appealing, with some beautiful and brutal cinematography. The writing is also very strong, with great dialogue throughout. It's also got a rather spiffing soundtrack.
Nitpicks? Well, it can be quite languid, and this caused a couple of walk-outs when I saw the film. I cannot stress enough that this film isn't very action packed or thrilling, so if that is condusive to your enjoyment of a film, I would avoid this. Otherwise, it's a very good, well made film, and I would recommend giving it a view.
(Although if you want to see an 18 rated film with loads of blodd and action, see Dredd before it's gone. It's not doing so well, and it needs the help.)
8/10
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