The Mosley Review: Caught Stealing
Ya know how some filmmakers bring a story to life that seems to belong or have the style of another filmmaker? For example, Peter Berg directed a Michael Bay style film called Battleship and Michael Bay directed a Peter Berg style film called Pain & Gain. I use that example alot because if you watch them back to back, you'll see what I mean. Its a rare thing that happens that can work for the best or it just feels off. This film is the latter and I found myself not enjoying the story. I love that we got an offbeat and grounded crime story about a regular person having a bad time, but the events that occur felt more like a Guy Ricthie style tale of unfortunate events. The tone is there and thematically it is sound, but it just felt like it was in the wrong hands. The cast is top notch and they bring these characters to life in some truly unnerving and sometimes darkly comedic ways.
Austin Butler was great as the damaged and yet charming Henry "Hank" Thompson. He was the classic every man that had his life set, but a horrible event in his youth stopped him from reaching his true potential. Hank’s reactions to the violence that happened to him and around him was sometimes rough to watch. Zoe Kravitz was great as his girlfriend Yvonne and the chemistry between them was astounding. It was sort of a none titled relationship they had but you could tell that there was love there. Even when he was down, she was there for him and I enjoyed their time together the most on screen. Matt Smith was perfectly eccentric as his punk friend Russ Binder. He was truly a screw up that set the whole situation up and I hated him for it. Regina King is always awesome and as Det. Elise Roman, she carries herself with grace and strength as one of the major factors of the situation. I liked her interrogation scene with Hank as it was informative and funny at times. Benito Martínez Ocasio was good as the Mexican gangster, Colorado. He was mostly for show, but he did have a sense unpredictability which made him fun as he is down played alot. Vincent D'Onofrio and Liev Schreiber nearly steal the film as the Drucker brothers, Shmully and Lipa. I loved the cavalier attitude they had towards the mayhem they cause and when they’re hunting down Hank. Honestly, I wouldn't mind a spinoff or solo adventure with the brothers as they take on jobs or assassinate rival gangs. Don't get me wrong, they're evil to the core, but I loved them the most.
The score by Rob Simonsen and the band Idles, was good and energetic. Rob brings the more somber and intense moments to life while Idles deliver the more punchy chaotic feel to the sometimes wacky action set pieces. The cinematography was great as it truly looked like it was shot in the late 90's with the right amount of darkness, grain and grittiness to the streets. Where the film kinda loses its heart was in the loss of a certain character. It may have given motive to the stories resolution, but it was a move that sort of made the film lose steam for me. Given the tone of the film, it was risky move that didn't really pay off. Like I said before, this was a Guy Ritchie film put in the hand of an equally outstanding storyteller that I felt wasn't really meant for him. I liked it, but I don't see myself revisiting this film. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
