Killing Them Softly (2012)

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Killing Them Softly (2012)

5/10

Starring

Brad Pitt

Richard Jenkins

James Gandolfini

Ray Liotta

Directed by Andrew Dominik

Killing Them Softly is a 2012 film based on a 1974 novel named Cogan’s Trade by George V. Higgins. The writer and director Andrew Dominik, updated the story to our present day economic crisis, the movie deals with the situation where gambling is one of the financial fuel of in the American economy.

During the movie, you get to see the political campaign between Obama and McCain during the 2008 American Presidential election. Other than the inclusion of Brad Pitt’s fine acting this movie was boring and the dark comic relief that was suppose to keep you watching, kinda went over my head.

The movie does not boast of fine cinematography also, shots taking from the car sometimes were a little not in frame and I kept wishing the camera will be taken in front so I can see their faces instead of their side face in a shadowy exterior. Then there is the dialogue which seemed awfully too long, before something started. Then there is the introduction of a character another hitman named Mickey Fallon (James Gandolfini) whose presence or absence in this movie would not have made any difference. So it beats me why the writer included him.

The movie plot is about a greedy proprietor of a gambling ring in New Orleans Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta), he decided instead of just taking the money the house makes, he wanted to take it all so he robbed the place. He did this by hiring two men to come in while he was there and rob the place, so as to look innocent. Many of the crime gangs and his bosses were not pleased by what happened so he was interrogated and he lied that he had nothing to do with it.

Things died down for a while, then during a timeout with his guys, drunk and excited he (Markie) tells everyone that he was the one who robbed the gambling house, now everyone knows, but he is left alive and no one takes a whack at him, till.

One small time crook gets an idea in his head, why not he rob Markie’s gambling house again, this time people will think Markie did it again since he got away with it first time, and also it will open some old wounds and this will make Markie take the fall and they get away with the money.

Things were going well till Brad Pitt as Jackie Cogan was brought on board to bring order to the situation, his introduction brings out the name of the movie as he said he likes, “Killing them softly” shooting them at a distance so he doesn’t have to witness the emotions of begging.

The thing is independent film makers sometimes have a way to either make you run to the cinemas or make you wish you never took the chance. I wish I never took the chance.