Originally published by L.S. Media. September 28th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
Cast: Brad Pitt, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, Sam Shepherd, Slaine, Bella Heathcote, Vincent Curatola, Linara Washington, Garratt Dilahunt.
A film that relies heavily on the use of violence, spectacular cinematography and a look at how the mob can be seen as still effectively running the United States of America 50 years after President Kennedy tried to destroy it. That it is in a sense the idea behind the new Brad Pitt film Killing Them Softly.
Killing Them Softly intersects the use of mafia controlled card houses and the people who frequent them with the occasional cut away to footage of the 2008 American Presidential campaign between Obama and Bush. It was this interjection of hope and the same old promise of a cleaner fairer society that made the dialogue between Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini and Richard Jenkins even more disturbing and malicious. Richard Jenkins shadowy character was well versed in showing that the mafia was now run by committee and having to account for every penny it spent. It seems even the mob is susceptible to the down turn in the world’s economy.
One of the few disappointments of the film was the chronic underuse of talented actor Ray Liotta. As decent but a one-time corrupt mafia controlled card game, the scenes in which he was in, didn’t seem to stretch his ability in the same way as the 2001 film Hannibal or his excellent portrayal as the criminal Rhodes in Identity. It is a shame to use a name such as Ray Liotta in a small part, even if he the crux on which the film turns on.
The same cannot be said for James Gandolfini as the burned out hit-man Mickey. Although it may have been easy to give him the same level of malevolence felt in previous television programmes or films that he has appeared in. Instead the makers of the film turned this to their advantage and gave James Gandolfini a role in which to dwell, to show the sinking of a man ravaged by what he has done and the realisation that his sins are catching up with him. It is this portrayal which should see him at least nominated for a best-supporting role at any of the up-coming award ceremonies.
A brutal, hard edged film which not only shows the dark side of American culture but almost seems to revel in it and enjoy the pit it digs itself into.
Ian D. Hall