Seeking out the
5000 greatest films
in a century of cinema
Killing Them Softly
Directed by
Andrew Dominik
Produced by Dede Gardner, Brad Pitt, Anthony Katagas, Paula Mae Schwartz, and Steve Schwartz
Screenplay by Andrew Dominik Based on the novel Cogan's Trade by George V. Higgins
Produced by Dede Gardner, Brad Pitt, Anthony Katagas, Paula Mae Schwartz, and Steve Schwartz
Screenplay by Andrew Dominik Based on the novel Cogan's Trade by George V. Higgins
With:
Brad Pitt, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins, Vincent Curatola, Ray Liotta, Trevor Long, Max Casella, Sam Shepard, and Slaine
Cinematography:
Greig Fraser
Editing: John Paul Horstmann and Brian A. Kates
Editing: John Paul Horstmann and Brian A. Kates
Runtime:
97 min
Release Date: 30 November 2012
Aspect Ratio: 2.35 : 1
Color: Color
Release Date: 30 November 2012
Aspect Ratio: 2.35 : 1
Color: Color
From Andrew Domenic, who directed The Assassination of Jessie James by the Coward Robert Ford, comes this Tarantino-esque neo-noir black comedy about petty thugs and their violent ways. Domenic draws parallels between these lowlifes' unseen corporate masters and the politicians who enabled the Great Recession of 2008, a heavy-handed comparison which nevertheless works pretty well. You can sense Domenic being a little too proud of the stylish way he handles movie-violence, but this and other directorial touches make Killing Them Softly a distinctive and satisfying little film. It has a fine cast and sharp script, and Brad Pitt is wonderfully understated as the smartest of the wiseguys; the movie's worth seeing for his performance alone.