Killing Them Softly

Director: Andrew Dominik
Cast: Brad Pitt, Scott McNairy, James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, Sam Shepard
Genre: Crime/Thriller 2012
Running time: 98 mins
Rating:★

Jackie Cogan, an enforcer for the Mob. Cogan must restore order in the criminal economy after a Mob protected card game is heisted by a group of inexperienced crooks.

Promises are made and interrupted by the filthy depression of reality is what I'm guessing the film is attempted to comment on with its radio-tuning-bad-reception opening credits. Right from the start, however, it is clear that the film is a Guy Ritchie-This is England rip off in the first interactions with mob/crooks-whatevers. Then there's blue-washed out undertones in the "slums" to give the illusion that its totally unique and "real." There's nothing unique or real about this film for it's strangely familiar. Nothing new. The scenery and the names of the characters perhaps, but not the situation or plot.

With a title like "Killing the Softly," it makes you wonder if they were trying to put some modern spin of the 1962 film, "Kiss Me, Deadly." Which, for those who are unaware of this film, is adaptation of a hard crime novel written by Mickey Spillane. I know its a stretch, but when see the title for this movie, it made me think of the film adaptation of Spillane's novel. Sexy, edgy, film noir, hard crime, cops, and robbers sort of thing. Of course, it wouldn't be a "mob" film without scenes with dark contrasts and red undertones! Good job for ripping off Francis Ford Coppola too (before I forget)! Scott McNairy portraying Frankie is copying Casey Affleck, which makes your ears bleed. Don't get me wrong, Casey Affleck is an amazing actor, but when someone, who clearly doesn't know how to act, copies a famous actor to give the illusion that they can act is pathetic.

Within the first ten minutes of the film, you already lose interest in the entire film. Which is ashamed because there is Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, and Ray Liotta casted, which should make up for it. However, like previously stated, the film is such a drag that you don't stick around to see them appear on screen.