There is something wrong with Bob. From the moment you lay eyes on this quiet, gentle brute (played by Tom Hardy) you know something horrible has happened to him. His eyes possess a sadness that is noticeable from the start. Bob bartends at a drop bar (where all the gangsters’ money goes). He lives simply and doesn't seem very smart. He works for Cousin Marv (James Gandolfini), a man who thinks he’s quite intimidating but was never really feared. The Drop is a slow burn gangster movie of the best kind. It's uncomplicated and talky, which all helps lead up to its surprising end. In a talky film like this the actors have to make it interesting, and they're more than up for the challenge. Tom Hardy continues to show that he is one of the best new actors out there. His work in Locke was incredible, and now this film cements his talent. As I said, there's something wrong with Bob. It is vital that you know this for the film to tie together, but the film doesn't tell you this. It does, however, allow Hardy to hint at it. His subtle movements, the way that he talks as if he's burdened or sad about something--these points suggest that his affliction is relevant to the storyline. It's great work. Gandolfini also puts on a great performance embodying a character oblivious to his own insignificance. I am glad to see that Gandolfini's final film was really a good one. Noomi Rapace (appearing in Prometheus and the Swedish The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) also puts on some nice work as her character begins to build a relationship with Bob. But this film is really Hardy's show, and the film’s success hinges mainly on him. Now that kind of makes it a difficult film to review. It's a very simple one, and if you pay attention it pays off fantastically. But that does have me running into a problem, one commonly faced by reviewers when reviewing comedies. In order for a comedy to work it needs to be funny. The whole basis of that film working is if it's funny meaning there's not a lot to talk about. The Drop has this effect, too. The whole film rests upon Hardy doing a good enough job so that you don't see what's coming (and I didn't),and still hold the film together; he succeeded. This also brings up the fact that if one actor is kind of carrying the whole thing, the film becomes a little shallow, not feeling incredibly large or too deep. But that's okay with this kind of movie. This is a very good, sharply scripted, simple gangster film that you can just sit down and enjoy. I give The Drop a 9 out of 10. Reviewed by Stephen Tronicek. Edited by Holly Clemons.
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December 2017
CategoriesAuthorHello welcome to FilmAnalyst. My name is Stephen Tronicek, and I really like movies. This is a way to get my opinions out to people. Thank you for visiting. |