KILLING THEM SOFTLY (2012)

Written & Directed By: Andrew Dominik 
Based On The Novel “Coogan’s Trade” By: George V. Higgins 
Cinematography By: Greig Fraser 
Editor: John Paul Horstmann & Brian A. Kates 

 Cast: Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins, Ray Liotta, Sam Shepard, Scott McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, Max Casella, Garret Dillahunt


Three amateurs stickup a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse. Brad Pitt plays the hitman hired to track them down and restore order.

The first feature film to use Kodak's 500T 5230 film stock.

I look at his movie as a punk rock type of film. Going up against many conventions we are accustomed to. It goes against what the audience expects. It shows a film And filmmaker of bravery and ideas .

Andrew Dominick has never made a uninteresting film. Each one seems like a artistic expression of his ideas and thoughts. Originally I thought this film would be the closest to a conventional film that he would make. He still found a way to put his particular signature on it. Based on a previously published novel.

Each of his films are deep and feel like an experiment in genre even though they usually revolve around outlaws. This film Seems to be Delivering a message This film Seems less like a film And more like a statement. Trying to show a way of life more then tell a story. The film just uses the story to help explore characters and the economic situation how it even affects criminals.

The film Breaks a big rule in film-making. You are supposed to show when you can and tell less in film-making. Here the film tells more then it shows. It could almost be a play with all of it's dialogue which challenges the audiences patience as to how much they invest in the film and scenes that are long and take place at limited locations while it switches between the hierarchy of power and characters involved.

I think that what turned audiences off. They expected a typical crime drama with tons of action. Here there is very little action. Which I can see as disappointing for the audience for this type of film. By comparison a film Like PULP FICTION also has more dialogue then action, but PULP FICTION has off the wall situations and sparkling dialogue that not only tells he story itself but adds color to it. Explaining the story and situations as themselves. Here it is more reality based and a character actors playground. The dialogue and conversations crisp and seem jovial bit the lines have a certain amount of weight behind them. As we travel the criminal underground.

Brad Pitt and James Gandolfini are great i only wish there was more of them and seeing them involved in a more intricate job and circumstances to see how they react and bring some drama and trauma onto their characters, as it is now. There is none they just leave you wondering how they will do what they are supposed to. Though I applied both actors as Gandolfini Brings great weight to his role and truly creates a broken down character that is recognizable and world weary a classic tragic character in the world of drama who doesn't seem to realize how low he has shrunk.

Brad Pitt I applaud for his bravery lately as he seems to take on more challenging roles and films. Though some escape him as far as his talents are concerned at least he is trying and investing in more of the wall projects and not strictly mainstream blockbuster fare all the time.

It's a shame as actors like Sam Shepherd and Ray Liotta are central to the story, but barely seen or used. All the characters are interesting, but left with little to do. It's the first time in a long time I has felt sorry for a character Ray Liotta has played. Richard Jenkins's character is never seen standing. He is either sitting in his car or sitting on a bar stool.

The film has a rhythm and language of it’s own. So that while you watch it you can choose to show an appreciation for what is offered. It’s own code, pattern or culture. Which is not what you go in expecting.

You expect a typical crime thriller. What you get is more the behind the scenes setting up of crimes and murders showing how it works more for freelancers, then the company men so to speak. The film also tries to get into politics and Social economics of a certain time and place. It has more to say then a typical film of this type. Director Andrew Dominik usually makes epics and working on a tapestry. This is something different as he still manages to paint one. Only with a smaller story and while feeling epic this film while beautiful isn’t his usual. As his previous film THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES. As this film is more dialogue heavy 

The film has a certain style that invests you then the dialogue scenes come and while revealing, seem to have very little pay off. Te same can be said about the hold-up scene it's thrilling with stylistic flourishes that keep you on edge. Then it all amounts to nothing putting such dynamic dressing on something basic.

It feels like the audience are FBI agents listening to wiretaps of the criminals. They are supposed to be watching then coming to see the aftermath.

Maybe of the film had stayed the same, but implemented more action the film would have been more exciting And better recieved.

The film can truly test an audiences patience ad expectations. It shows how much audiences desire visuals when expected. Which I learned first-hand watching the walkouts when I saw the film BEFORE SUNRISE in theaters. This film even got a f as a cinema score from the average of opening week audiences.

This is where reviewing after a film premieres pays off as I can comment on reactions, how it was taken. It's legacy to a certain degree.

With this film what intrigues me is that it is challenging and different. Not a total Slam dunk as the plot is pretty cut and dry simple.

It feels like anytime there is a scene in which action could be attempted. It feels like Mr. Dominic is fighting the impulse as many directors are the other way and fight the impulse to include dialogue scenes from interrupting their flow.

The film has so many stylistic flourishes in between the action. That I wish like his previous films they would more overcome the many dialogue scenes. That I am thankful for as they are more challenging but sets the film apart from others and offers a vision and a bit of experimentalist spirit. It gives the film the grit it needs to feel like a film of another era, while locating itself in a certain time period and landscape


I say this film is with watching with some reservations.

If this were a indie in it might have gotten accolades and even credit for going another way. If it was more aimed at more of an art film crowd, but it was aimed at mainstream audience and asked them to accept something they aren't used to and it failed.

The film feels like it would have fit in, in the 70's

I think even if you cut out the major dialogue scenes and had more majestic visuals with little to no dialogue and some music cure. It would have gotten more fanfare.

Grade: B –