Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) works with his Cousin Marv (the late James Gandolfini) at a Brooklyn bar aptly named, Cousin Marv’s. The Bar acts as a drop for money being collected by the Chechen Mob. Thieves rob the Bar one evening, and Bob instinctively calls the Police. But what starts off as a simple robbery investigation, devolves into something that goes much deeper.
Adapted by Dennis Lehane (author of Mystic River and Shutter Island) from his short story Animal Rescue, The Drop is thrilling and tense throughout. But with all the Red Herrings, shady Supporting Characters, and Minor Characters popping up expressly to move the Plot along (Noomi Rapace and John Ortiz both fall victim), the Film feels a little stilted – as if everything that happens does not amount to much at all. Thankfully, the leads more than make up for the Film’s flaws.
Hardy perfects his strong, silent, brooding character archetype, while Matthias Schoenaerts (of Blood Ties and Rust and Bone) is ridiculously devious and menacing in every scene. But it is Gandolfini who really shines here: he is sad, washed-up and yearns for something more. This is not his best Work by a longshot, but it feels almost poetic that this is the final performance Gandolfini left us with. It will make you realize just how devastating a loss his untimely death is and continues to be.
The Drop screens Friday September 5, 2014 6 PM at Princess of Wales Theatre, Saturday September 6, 2014 11:45 AM at Princess of Wales Theatre and Saturday September 13, 2014 3 PM at Princess of Wales Theatre.
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