2/5
Stars
The main plot revolves around a robbery
that occurs in the middle of a poker game where two small-time thugs, Frankie
(Scoot McNairy) and Ben Mendelsohn (Russell), loot Markie Trattman (Ray
Liotta). Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt), a folk music-loving mob enforcer is called
into find and execute the suspected culprits. Violence, blood and gore ensue. The
film is mainly about how difficult it is, even for the criminals to survive,
during the economic meltdown of 07/08. The film attempts to be a very
thoughtful take on the political affairs in the US. There’s a dialogue in the
end that goes something like, “America is not a country, but a business!”
Based on the 1973 novel ‘Cogan’s Trade’ by
George V. Higgins, the film revolves around the repercussions of a mysterious
poker game heist.
The film is part noir, part caper and
mostly cryptic. The first 30 minutes of the film unfold in a bizarre manner, making
it very difficult for the viewer to decipher the main plot.
The main plot revolves around a robbery
that occurs in the middle of a poker game where two small-time thugs, Frankie
(Scoot McNairy) and Ben Mendelsohn (Russell), loot Markie Trattman (Ray
Liotta). Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt), a folk music-loving mob enforcer is called
into find and execute the suspected culprits. Violence, blood and gore ensue. The
film is mainly about how difficult it is, even for the criminals to survive,
during the economic meltdown of 07/08. The film attempts to be a very
thoughtful take on the political affairs in the US. There’s a dialogue in the
end that goes something like, “America is not a country, but a business!”
The film is filled with repeated
inter-cuts, witty and expletive-filled dialogue reminiscent of Quentin
Tarantino films and also embeds within it a powerful political message. There
are scenes interspersed with speeches from the 2008 Barack Obama-McCain
Presidential Campaign. However, it’s all too confusing. In the end, you’ll just
go ‘Phew!’ The screenplay, although stylishly embellished with some wonderful
cinematography filled with exquisite slow-motion shots, has too little
substance. Even the clever political connection seems an attempt to
intellectualize the content of the film. Brad Pitt delivers a fine performance
as does the rest of the cast. However, the writing falters. Andrew Dominik, who
has directed and written the adapted screenplay, fails to incorporate the basic
premise of the film.
A lot of ‘killing’ goes on in ‘Killing Them
Softly’. Menacing it is, intriguing it isn’t. Understandable, it certainly is
not! Pitt fans might like it. Fans of the caper-genre may find it a
one-time-watch. For the rest, avoid.
Shivom
Oza
".. with his song"
ReplyDeleteSorry couldn't resist :P
2/5? is it worth watching atleast for Brad?
ReplyDelete