Killing Them Softly Review

Rated R (Violence, Sexual References, Pervasive Language, and Some Drug Use)

Running Time: 1 Hour & 37 Minutes

Cast-

Brad Pitt-Jackie Cogan

Richard Jenkins-Driver

James Gandolfini-Mickey

Scoot McNairy-Frankie

Ben Mendelsohn-Russell

Ray Liotta-Markie Trattman

Vincent Curatola-Johnny Amato

George Carroll/Slaine-Kenny Gill

Sam Shepard-Dillon

Directed by Andrew Dominik

My, that's a mighty big shotgun you have, Mr. Pitt.

America, the land of opportunity…except it isn't. Four years since the financial crisis, the economy still hasn't fully recovered as it limps along while the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen. Compared to other first-world countries, America has the highest level of inequality and it's only a matter of time before the bubble bursts (like the housing market). Set amidst the 2008 Wall Street crash and President Barack Obama's subsequent election, Andrew Dominik's latest film, "Killing Them Softly," likens the cutthroat politics of corporate capitalism to the seedy underbelly of the criminal underworld. Despite only directing two films in the last ten years (2000's "Chopper" and 2007's "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"), Dominik's work has made quite an impression on critics and his third film, based on George V. Higgins' 1974 crime novel Cogan's Trade and reuniting him with actor Brad Pitt, looks to continue that trend. Uncompromisingly violent and darkly humorous, "Killing Them Softly" oozes style as it paints a bleak, nihilistic portrait of modern-day America but its themes lack subtlety and ultimately comes across as muddled within the story's context. 

It's September 2008 and the Obama-McCain presidential election is in full swing even as the country reels from a total financial meltdown. Set in Nowhere, America, a small-time gangster named Johnny Amato (Vincent Curatola) recruits ex-con Frankie (Scoot McNairy) to rob an illegal poker game held by Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta) and hopes to get away with it by framing the mobster as the culprit. Enlisting the aid of strung-out junkie Russell (Ben Mendelsohn), Frankie manages to pull off the heist without a hitch. Driver (Richard Jenkins), a middleman for the corporate-types who run the local mob, hires hitman Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt) to clean up the mess. Russell fails to keep his mouth shut about the robbery, putting him and Frankie on Cogan's radar. Meanwhile, Cogan brings in old friend Mickey (James Gandolfini) for help but the move instead complicates the job even further. 

Although its running time is a scant 1 hour and 37 minutes, "Killing Them Softly" is a deliberately slow-paced affair despite the overly simplistic story. What's immediately striking about the film is the style and there are a number of visual flourishes that maximizes the impact of the violence, which are few and far between yet delivers with the force of a sledgehammer. One of Cogan's hits is presented in ultra slow-motion as the bullets fire from his revolver, shattering the car window and fatally entering its target in a symphonic shower of blood. A vicious beating will likely inspire walkouts. Despite being set in late 2008, it exhibits a low-key vibe commonly found in crime dramas released during the 1970s. Dominik eschews the Boston setting of the novel by choosing to shoot the film in New Orleans, Louisiana for tax-incentive purposes but he never explicitly names the city in which it takes place in, suggesting that it could be anywhere…or nowhere. The town is often drenched in rain where violence is commonplace; none of the characters react with surprise and there is no police on the streets to enforce the law. Its nihilistic atmosphere is emphasized by Greig Fraser's stylish cinematography and sound bites from speeches made by George W. Bush and Obama replaces a traditional score. Unfortunately, Dominik's juxtaposition of politics and organized crime feel heavy-handed and lacks subtlety. Frankie is driven to a life crime due to the failing economy while the ruminations between Cogan and Driver mimic the backroom dealing that defines American politics. It's a dialogue-driven film and while the numerous conversations between the various characters may come off as meaningless on the surface, it represents a disillusionment that has gripped the American populace where people have no qualms about stepping over others in order to make a quick buck. The way James Gandolfini's Mickey rants about his problems, drowning them in booze and sex, recalls a down-on-his-luck worker. Even Cogan is frustrated by how his hands are tied by a boardroom-like committee. There are a few scenes of dark humor, such as Russell's attempt to collect the ransom money by kidnapping dogs or a conversation between him and Frankie while high on heroin that is punctuated by moments of grim reality. The problem with "Killing Them Softly" is that Dominik's message that the American Dream is really an American Nightmare feels muddled and at times, a little too on-the-nose. Not to mention that he's not exactly tackling a revelatory subject or saying anything new. Still, there's enough food-for-thought within the story to make the film worth a watch. 

Reuniting with Dominik for a second time, Brad Pitt plays Jackie Cogan as cool and detached; to avoid any unnecessary tears from his victims, the hitman chooses to take his targets out either from afar or close at hand with a minimum of fuss, hence the title. He's backed up by a capable supporting cast that includes Richard Jenkins as the mob's spokesperson and a memorable James Gandolfini who goes on a number of drunken monologues that will leave mainstream audiences scratching their heads but will entertain those who know what Dominik is getting at. Scoot McNairy and Ben Mendelsohn shine as well with their awkwardly amusingly low-brow banter, with lines like "These girls, you probably wouldn't want to rape them, but the plumbing's just fine." However, McNairy's exaggerated high-pitch accent does get distracting. Of course, no gangster film would be complete without Ray Liotta, who's become a cliché at this point ever since "Goodfellas." 

Premiering at this past summer's Cannes Film Festival, "Killing Them Softly" was released on November 30, 2012 to largely positive reviews with 78% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics found it to be 'a darkly comic, visceral thriller that doubles as a cautionary tale on capitalism, whose message is delivered with sledgehammer force.' Unfortunately, audiences didn't see the film as it bombed with only $7 million. I am puzzled as to why The Weinstein Company would even go for a wide release considering the subject matter. Its appeal was always going to be limited but that's not the film's problem, it's the audience. There's a certain sense of irony reading the comments online, where many continue to ignorantly equate box office success with actual substance. "Killing Them Softly" is by no means a great film but it's one that's still easy to recommend, not only for its distinct visual style but also for what it says about American society as a whole, muddled as it may be. Since it'll disappear from theaters soon, you might as well take the chance to see it now.

Final Rating: 3.5 out of 5

"This guy wants to tell me we're living in a community? Don't make me laugh. I'm living in America, and in America you're on your own. America's not a country. It's just a business. Now fuckin' pay me!"