30 October 2014

The Drop


Getting caught in the middle of something you don't want to be is bad enough, never mind getting trapped in the center of a robbery gone wrong which is what Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) gets himself into. Before we delve into this quite simply fantastic cinematic experience, one has to take the first 5 minutes of The Drop with a pinch of salt. As an American Hardy explains exactly what a 'drop bar' is. By no means does the rest of the film hand you answers on a plate, albeit it quickly gets the details out of the way and straight into the deeper subject at hand. 

"I just tend the bar" claims the quiet, reserved, bartender Bob who currently works for his Cousin Marv (James Gandolfini). Everything seems to be going swimmingly until the two are held at gunpoint and forced to empty out their cash registers to scum of the earth criminals. Just like any gangster plotline of this 'ilk', we see a hierarchy when it comes to the 'money drop' bars and a hell of a lot of "Give me my money" uttered. Except, where this film stands out, is it's ability to provide a gangster narrative without copious amounts of violence and swearing, gratuitous sex and car chases. Dennis Lahane, the genius behind this script who previously gave us Mystic River and Shutter Island, crafts it in such a way that the film doesn't need such frills. His words along with the actors portrayal of their characters are more than enough to drive this forward until the bitter end.

Many people will be watching this just because it's James Gandolfini's last performance, however man of the moment Tom Hardy continues to impress with his husky, flawless Brooklyn accent. Back in April everyone raved about his performance in Locke and although hard to beat his Saginowski completely tops it. Hardy's character is a survivor, a protector and he will do whatever is necessary in order to resolve the situation. To the point where he finds a beaten up pitbull puppy in Nadia's (Noomi Rapace) trash can, and simply can't just leave it out in the cold. He is a protector and the puppy later named Rocco almost symbolises the way in which Bob balances both the good and bad deeds he does in life - and is also possibly the cutest little pitball ever known to man. Director Michael R. Roskam, gives us some very touching moments with Bob and his new found friend in this otherwise somewhat chaotic world Marv and Bob have found themselves in. Perfectly placed lingering and out of focus shots give depth to those on screen. Even in the brief moments we see Noomi, you feel more attached to her character than ever. James Gandolfini is Cousin Marv. No one else could have played him as well as he did. On one hand we have an overweight man, chugging away, minding his own bar and on the other we have a corrupt, conniving and at times scary gangster. A man that made his mark as Tony Soprano and now with Marv gives us a very memorable final performance.   

The Drop is a enthralling crime thriller with some of the most outstanding performances on screen of this year. 

Directed by Michael R. Roskam
106 mins, 15 (2014)

17 October 2014

Monthly Round Up

Welcome to the September and October review round up!

Check out my scathing slang and glowing gems of the last two months: 




Cinema Chords     
 71'



            


I'm With Geek   
Sex Tape
            





EasternKicks
Black Butler 
HK: Forbidden Superhero (HK: Hentai Kamen)
Handuken


So many films and so little time - Keep your eyes peeled for more updates! 

12 October 2014

CineLanguage takes to the red carpet for LFF: 'The Drop'

As part of the BFI: London Film Festival, CineLanguage was lucky enough to grab a few minutes on the red carpet for the premiere of director Michael R. Roskam's latest film, The Drop. Sadly, this was the late James Gandolfini's final performance and the director and leading lady Noomi Rapace were bombarded with questions regarding working with such a talented actor. 


Being Roskam's second feature film and first in a language that isn't his mother tongue, set deep in the heart of Brooklyn, The Drop follows bar tender Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) who finds himself at the centre of a robbery gone terribly wrong.  In this hub of a gangster neighbourhood where friends and foes work together to create a cash flow, things get pretty heated when the wrong people catch wind of the bigger picture. Acclaimed writer Dennis Lehane has adapted his short Animal Rescue into a feature length script for this one and coming from the man who gave us Mystic River and the fabulously twisted Shutter Island, it is no wonder audiences and critics alike are raving about this one. 



Sadly for the female population there was no Tom Hardy. However for the guys, the stunning, very stylish Noomi was there to lay their eyes upon. The director himself looked very slick as well dressed in black from head to toe and equally took his time to do the rounds.




It is always nice to see actors and filmmakers take the time for press and fans and as Noomi willing took pictures and signed autographs for the people who came to support her. Like any carpet event it is near impossible in between the fans and other press to talk to everyone. Unfortunately, we didn't get the time with Roskam, albeit we struck gold as we got to ask Noomi a couple of questions about the project. 

Staying away from conventional questions, I managed to catch some footage and from the video below it is evident Noomi appreciated such words and her smile says it all: 


Being asked if she would appear in a comedy certainly made her laugh and as for working with Tom Hardy again, it seems she is game. Already collaborating again for Daniel Espinosa's Child 44, it seems the two work well on screen together.  

The Drop is released in theatres throughout the UK from Friday 14th November, 2014.