If ever a movie was worth the purchase in full, it would be The Drop. The Drop is one of those movies that slipped under the radar, and surprisingly so. Tom Hardy, James Gandolfini, and Noomi Rapace headline this crime drama in a picture that’s based on a short story. This movie would be the last cinema performance of James Gandolfini, and yet again another chance for Tom Hardy to solidify himself as an acting giant.
The Drop follows cousins Bob and Marv, who run a bar in Brooklyn that used to be owned by Marv until he gave up ownership to the Chechen mafia.
The Drop follows cousins Bob and Marv, who run a bar in Brooklyn that used to be owned by Marv until he gave up ownership to the Chechen mafia. Their bar is the site of multiple money drops, allowing mobsters and criminals to move their money around without too much police trouble. Everything is as usual until the bar gets robbed and the stash of money gets stolen. Bob finds himself at the centre of it all as he gets to the bottom of the scheme, whilst dealing with his personal problems that all ultimately become intertwined with one another.
The Drop is completely character driven, it is an actors’ movie. Tom Hardy continues to show that he’s a powerhouse talent. Everything from his still demeanour to his accent and physicality is on point; he’s a true shape shifter. James Gandolfini is as most should expect, the legend he has always been. He and Hardy pass convincingly as family, and much of the story’s conflict comes from their relationship and the trouble of it that becomes more revealing as everything progresses. Noomi Rapace plays Nadia, a neighbourhood girl that befriends Bob (Hardy) when he finds a beat up Pitbull puppy in her trashcan. Their relationship is not typical of what Hollywood films normally make of romance, and it starts and ends with a bonding friendship. Rapace’s character is a fascinating one, and her ability to act convincingly without speaking and/or saying very little at times is a skill many performers have yet to master.
The writing is what ultimately makes this movie what it is, so praises must be given to Dennis Lehane, and director Michael R. Roskam brings the story to life in a way that’s both realistic and suspenseful. The shooting of the movie is very standard and it’s a character driven movie, so the need for over the top cinematography is non-existent, but the colouring and tone of the editing sets this world up as it should be.
The Drop though not widely marketed is definitely a movie that stands up with some of Hollywood’s best crime dramas. Most of Hollywood’s crime/gangster films are also larger in scope, but The Drop shows the realities of the smaller time criminals, and people who get caught in the crossfire as collateral damage. The depth of the characters and the style of this movie set it apart from other gangster classics. It can be found for online purchase on every platform from Amazon Prime to even YouTube, and it is worth every cent.
