Killing Them Softly Review
Killing Them Softly (2012)
Cast: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn.
Based On: Novel 'Cogan's Trade' by George V. Higgins.
Screenplay By: Andrew Dominik.
Directed By: Andrew Dominik.
Killing Them Softly is an American neo-noir crime film based on George V. Higgins 1974 novel Cogan's Trade. Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta) is a well known name around the mob style scene with running his own illegal poker games, one night they are shut down after being robbed at gun point and all the money stolen. This incident becomes a part of the past and the games begin to run again and Trattman admits that he set up the robbery, that all that money went to him, so when the criminal and the crack addict Frankie (Scoot McNairy) and Russell (Ben Mendelsohn) rob the games again, Markie's name is first on the bullet. The movie follows those suspected/linked being hit by professional hit man Jackie, following along the cast making his way down to the real culprits.
KTS is filmed around Louisiana in locations that are borderline derelict, one location even consists of a construction site with a bridge with no civilisation in sight. Now these locations are perfect for this film, very symbolic as this movie really puts across the message of how America is broken; "America is not a country, it's a business*".
I very much appreciate the way this movie has been filmed/edited, a certain scene with Frankie and Russell, as Russell 'jacks up' is beautifully filmed, with slow motion, quick cuts and almost putting you in his shoes showing what he is seeing, how he is hearing things, putting you in the drug induced state with him. The violence in this movie is so realistic, it will almost make you want to gag at the sights and sounds, however it's done in such a professional and impressive style you can't look away. Also I mentioned about the messages within the film, in 75% of the movie the television in the background has President Barack Obama making speeches about America, his image and hopes for the country, which like the locations is very symbolic.
The acting in this movie is very impressive I definitely think McNairy and Mendelsohn are two to watch because their portrayals are brilliant, playing characters with hearts and no sense, just addiction and the wanting for a life more than a recession. Brad Pitt as suspected plays his part very well, very strong, his portrayal makes Jackie come across just as strong as the gun in his hand. James Gandolfini acting as Mickey is fantastic due to the fact that than rather just being this hard man that doesn't take orders from anyone, he is also very broken. I feel also that Liotta's character has a vulnerable edge to him, which like Gandolfini, I've not really see him do which is great to show his range that we all know he has, as the legend he is.
The only down side to this film is; as honest and scarily real as it is, it doesn't really have an ending. With Jackie left, he makes a fantastic speech about America as a country (quote in Location paragraph*), however you feel this speech may be building up to the last shoot out or fist of the film, but there is none. The speech is a great ending, but it needed that last kick to actually make you, as an audience, feel the movie has ended.
This movie is a personal favourite of mine, it's original, it's raw and 100% worth watching. You get to see something new, with a mixture of talent, a mixture of names and it's the almost gangsta style film this generation has been waiting for since films like; Lawless.
My Rating: 7.5/10
VF
Cast: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn.
Based On: Novel 'Cogan's Trade' by George V. Higgins.
Screenplay By: Andrew Dominik.
Directed By: Andrew Dominik.
Killing Them Softly is an American neo-noir crime film based on George V. Higgins 1974 novel Cogan's Trade. Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta) is a well known name around the mob style scene with running his own illegal poker games, one night they are shut down after being robbed at gun point and all the money stolen. This incident becomes a part of the past and the games begin to run again and Trattman admits that he set up the robbery, that all that money went to him, so when the criminal and the crack addict Frankie (Scoot McNairy) and Russell (Ben Mendelsohn) rob the games again, Markie's name is first on the bullet. The movie follows those suspected/linked being hit by professional hit man Jackie, following along the cast making his way down to the real culprits.
KTS is filmed around Louisiana in locations that are borderline derelict, one location even consists of a construction site with a bridge with no civilisation in sight. Now these locations are perfect for this film, very symbolic as this movie really puts across the message of how America is broken; "America is not a country, it's a business*".
I very much appreciate the way this movie has been filmed/edited, a certain scene with Frankie and Russell, as Russell 'jacks up' is beautifully filmed, with slow motion, quick cuts and almost putting you in his shoes showing what he is seeing, how he is hearing things, putting you in the drug induced state with him. The violence in this movie is so realistic, it will almost make you want to gag at the sights and sounds, however it's done in such a professional and impressive style you can't look away. Also I mentioned about the messages within the film, in 75% of the movie the television in the background has President Barack Obama making speeches about America, his image and hopes for the country, which like the locations is very symbolic.
The acting in this movie is very impressive I definitely think McNairy and Mendelsohn are two to watch because their portrayals are brilliant, playing characters with hearts and no sense, just addiction and the wanting for a life more than a recession. Brad Pitt as suspected plays his part very well, very strong, his portrayal makes Jackie come across just as strong as the gun in his hand. James Gandolfini acting as Mickey is fantastic due to the fact that than rather just being this hard man that doesn't take orders from anyone, he is also very broken. I feel also that Liotta's character has a vulnerable edge to him, which like Gandolfini, I've not really see him do which is great to show his range that we all know he has, as the legend he is.
The only down side to this film is; as honest and scarily real as it is, it doesn't really have an ending. With Jackie left, he makes a fantastic speech about America as a country (quote in Location paragraph*), however you feel this speech may be building up to the last shoot out or fist of the film, but there is none. The speech is a great ending, but it needed that last kick to actually make you, as an audience, feel the movie has ended.
This movie is a personal favourite of mine, it's original, it's raw and 100% worth watching. You get to see something new, with a mixture of talent, a mixture of names and it's the almost gangsta style film this generation has been waiting for since films like; Lawless.
My Rating: 7.5/10
VF
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