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Directed by: Andrew Dominik
Starring: Brad Pitt, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins and Ray Liotta
What It’s About: A cold-blooded mob-enforcer is summoned to restore order after three scoundrels rob a mob-protected card game.
Rated R (for violence, sexual references, pervasive language, and some drug use)
Runtime: 97 minutes
4 December 2012
By Aaron Sanders, Diversions Editor
According to Andrew Dominik’s latest film Killing Them Softly, gangsters and crooks like to watch a little too much CNN.
In the film, three low-lifes come up with the brilliant idea to hold up a mob gambling ring, robbing the mob of $100,000. The mob employs the services of a mob-enforcer named Jackie (Brad Pitt) to settle the score and “wack” those involved. However, the “plot” is not the primary focus of the film. Dominik instead aims to paint a visceral picture of American capitalism in the context of a criminal world.
Dominik makes no effort to mask the allegorical message he wants to convey. The film plays out against the backdrop of the 2008 presidential election in a post-Katrina New Orleans. In fact, for the first 30 minutes, speeches by George W. Bush, John McCain and Barack Obama play in the background. The climax of the film even takes places on election night. The political undertones will undoubtedly turn off a lot of viewers, but those willing to listen will appreciate the parable that much more.
As usual, Brad Pitt gives an electrifying performance in the title role. His co-stars Scoot McNairy and Ben Mendelsohn convincingly portray the pair of desperate scoundrels who rob Markie (Ray Liotta)’s joint. James Gandolfini channels a little of the character from his Soprano days; in fact, he almost seems to be the same character. There are no weak links in this talented cast, but all dim in comparison to Pitt.
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Killing Them Softly runs for a sparse 97 minutes, which diminishes the potential impact of the film; but considering the little parable it is, the reduced running time may in fact be appropriate. Ironically, the film plays out its highly stylized and visceral violence in a prolonged fashion. The game heist scene feels 20 minutes long and the brutal beating of Markie seems to last forever.
The violence is quite realistic and not for the faint of heart. The aforementioned beating was one the most shocking acts of violence this year (a close second behind the hammer scene in Ben Wheatley’s Kill List).
If you came expecting to see a straight-up gangster film along the lines of Goodfellas or The Godfather, you will be painfully disappointed. Killing Them Softly is more of a display of American economics than it is a look into the world of mobsters, but there is nothing wrong with that.
While the story is somewhat frivolous and the political message heavy-handed, a ticket to Killing Them Softly is a worthy investment.
(7.5/10)