Review: "Killing Them Softly"

Killing Them Softly is the latest crime film from director Andrew Dominik, starring Brad Pitt, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini, and Ray Liotta. The film is based on the 1974 novel Cogan's Trade by George V. Higgins. The plot is an interesting set-up: three dimwitted criminals decide to rob a poker game, protected by Markie Trattman (Liotta). Trattman had robbed his own game years ago, but was forgiven by his cohorts. These thieves believe that the local mob will suspect Trattman as the orchestrator, and let the real thieves get away. After the success of the robbery, a mob emissary named Driver (Richard Jenkins) meets with Pitt's character, Jackie Cogan, to discuss solutions as the local criminal economy sinks. Things take a turn for the violent, and Cogan brings in fellow hitman Mickey (James Gandolfini) as extra help. The characters are well-executed, and crime acting veteran Gandolfini does an excellent job as washed-up hitman Mickey. Pitt also does well as Jackie Cogan, whom I would describe as a darkly comedic, no-remorse hitman, in a similar vein to Vincent Vega of Pulp Fiction. One of our would-be criminal masterminds, Russell, portrayed by Ben Mendelsohn, is a crook struggling with drug addiction and is remarkably stupid, but is a dangerously violent mind, and one of the best characters in the entire film. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I found Jenkins' performance to be boring and unispired as Driver, despite his previous success this year in The Cabin in the Woods. Liotta, on the other hand, left me wanting more. He's an fantastic actor, but I felt that he underacted and could have done more in this role. As for the story, it's an interesting enough idea, but the ending is very anticlimactic, and leaves something to be desired. One of my favorite aspects, however, was the cinematography and neo-noir nature of the film. There is an excellent bullet-time like sequence in one scene, and the angles are excellent throughout. While not reaching the heights of modern classics like Brick or The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, also deals well in gritty violence and language that makes a good neo-noir film. Another interesting aspect is the social commentary I noticed Dominik added that was not present in the novel it was adapted from. Set against the backdrop of the 2008 Presidential Election, themes of the economic collapse are alluded to with the robbery and the subsequent collapse of the Mafia's business. Cogan even talks about how he goes against Obama's speeches and beliefs, which is interesting considering his reelection this year.

Consensus: Killing Them Softly is a decent modern crime film with an interesting social commentary, but leaves the audience wanting more in ways of acting and plot/climax.

Rating: 3.5/5