THE DROP

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

This film tells the story of Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy), a quiet man who is a bartender at the local watering hole. His cousin Marv (James Gandolfini) runs the place, it is known in the neighborhood as the place where cash is dropped for the town’s gangsters.

On his way to the bar, Bob finds a dog in the trash can as Nadia (Noomi Rapace) thinks she catches him in the act. Listening to him tell the puppy’s story, she insists that Tom take the dog home. Watching this all take place is Eric (Matthias Schoenaerts), a man with a vicious past that is going to clash into this new friendship.

One night two masked men rob Marv’s opening a can of violent worms from owner named Chovka (Michael Aronov). The word is on the street about the robbery putting Tom and Marv on edge. Both men realize the money has to be found before things go from bad to hellacious.

Tom also discovers that Eric is someone from Nadia’s past – and he knows all about ghost that pop up with nothing but bad news to share. Deals are made and lies are told until there is nothing left – but the raw and unmistakable truth.

FINAL WORD: Hardy as Bob once again reminds me of what stellar acting is. He truly makes this role seem effortless with a restraint that mesmerizes. There are so many brilliant moments as his character gives off an air of a man just getting by but it is hardly the case. There is this illusion of trust he shows outwardly yet his eyes seem so well aware of the realities with the people he deals with. His anger is there yet give Bob a puppy and he turns to mush – but then it is an adorable puppy for sure, Rocco the show stealer!

Rapace as Nadia is an almost kindred character to Bob. A woman who obviously has seen the fist end of a relationship, she keeps her head down and moves through life. The gentle and caring side of her is reserved yet still generous to both man and dog. I had no problem believing Rapace when her character shows fear; I’ve seen it before with GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO and PROMETHEUS and it is chilling! I absolutely love her work.

Gandolfini as Marv is a man who is just plain angry. He has his reasons but not good enough ones if you ask me. That’s all I am going to say about Marv. Gandolfini gives a creepy performance that I loved and it’s his second love performance of the year for me. The first being the film ENOUGH SAID in a romantic lead like no other.

Schoenaerts as Deeds is just down right eerie. Not in body language or in voice but the magnificent dead eye stare that tells me to back away slowly. That’s a far cry from his role in the 2012 film RUST AND BONE which I enjoyed very much.

Other cast includes: John Ortiz as Detective Torres, Elizabeth Rodriguez as Detective Romsey, Morgan Spector as Andre, Michael Esper as Rardy, Ross Bickell as Father Regan, James Frecheville as Fitz, Tobias Segal as Briele, Patricia Squire as Millie and Ann Dowd as Dottie.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give THE DROP four tubs of popcorn out of five. The storyline is so deliberate that it’s scary. As unpredictable as a volcanic eruption I just never knew when something or someone was going to snap. You know suspense has got you when holding a piece of red vine with your mouth open and forgetting to bite – yea, that happened.

The cinematography is gritty and the soundtrack invites us all to sit back and let the story do its job. There isn’t anything about the cast I don’t like. Director Roskam doesn’t try to impress with trash flash and loud noises that distract but instead guides the story to an ending that literally had to be!

The film is based on Dennis Lehane’s screenplay. Lehane is also responsible for such book as MYSTIC RIVER and GONE BABY GONE and THE DROP is another win for this intense and suspenseful writer.

In the end – some sins feel like they can’t ever be forgiven!

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