The Little Things
There are some actors you just know are going to give you a good movie experience every time, especially if they’re in one of your favorite genres. I’m partial to noir films, like Blood Simple or Red Rock West, but I hadn’t paid enough attention to the description of this film to realize I was watching a cop noir until I had seen a few scenes. The genre is easy to spot if you know where to look, for things like how scenes are lit, dialogue and general storyline. In a neo-noir such as this the most important element is following the existential issues of the good guys as they may or may not catch the killer. That is of lesser importance.
Denzel Washington, who is always great, plays small town deputy sheriff Joe Deacon, sent to the big city one day to deliver a pair of bloody boots as evidence for a trial. He’s reluctant to do the menial job, but not because it’s demeaning. While there he runs into hotshot detective Jim Baxter (Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody), who slowly warms to the smarter than he seems lowly deputy. Before long, they’re working on a gruesome murder that leads to even darker things.
“It’s the little things that are important, Jimmy. Little things that’ll get you caught.” For a while we think Joe is talking about the murderer they’re looking for. Both stories are engrossing, the murder mystery and the existential challenge. Beyond the always looming suspense, there are scenes reminiscent of other great noir films. My favorite was the homage to Blood Simple’s crop field scene, which has been done in other films, like It Follows. Possibly as its own homage to It Follows, it’s not easy to pinpoint when this movie takes place. It’s gumshoe time, without cell phones, or security cameras or gps.
Solid writing that quickly and efficiently sets up the characters and their backstories enhance the noirish elements of a deft touch with lighting, shadow and darkness. The music is subtle but effective, and the acting is great all around. This is the first thing I had seen Malek in, and I was really impressed. Not only does he play a much younger and though gifted, more inexperienced detective, but he stands up to Washington’s older and more jaded character with a strength not all Hollywood actors could manage.
I did go online to see what other people thought about this film, because the overall message and absolutely killer last scene made me wonder if I had really understood what I had just watched. After reading other peoples’ theory about what actually happened I didn’t agree with them but felt I should watch the movie again and come at it from a different angle. I love that kind of depth in a movie.
If you are a fan of either actor, or the cop noir genre, definitely check this out. I know I will be watching it again, and I wonder if knowing how it ends will strongly affect anything. I nearly gasped at the audacity, and that was great.
LINKS:
CFR: In Addition
Well, I got nothing. I think I saw the preview for this and thought “Oooooo that looks good.” Still does. Hmmm…….
Chick Flicking Reviews 