Untangling Greed: A Review of “Providence” (Formerly “Greedy People”)
In “Providence,” formerly known as “Greedy People,” we follow Will (Himesh Patel), a rookie cop who, along with his pregnant wife (Lily James), relocates to a quaint, seemingly crime-free town on the East Coast. On his first day, he’s partnered with Terry (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a seasoned officer who assures him that the town is devoid of any serious criminal activity.
During their shift, Terry takes an unscheduled detour to visit his mistress, leaving Will to wait in the patrol car. While alone, a call comes over the radio reporting a possible break-in. Mistakenly believing it’s an emergency, Will bursts into the home of a wealthy woman (Tracy Lords), weapon drawn. The homeowner, enraged by the intrusion, confronts Will, resulting in a struggle where she tragically falls and dies. Terry returns to find the aftermath, and the two officers discover a large sum of money in the living room. Seized by temptation, they decide to stage a robbery gone wrong and split the loot. Of course, their plan quickly unravels.
Himesh Patel as Will in “Providence”
A Town of Eccentrics and Hidden Agendas
The film is set in a sleepy town where nothing ever happens, or so it seems. Lurking beneath the surface are two hitmen with colorful nicknames – the Irishman (Jim Gaffigan) and the Colombian (Jose Maria Yazpik). Director Potsy Ponciroli immediately establishes an ironic tone, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, in a rare big-screen appearance, delivers a comedic performance as one of the most unlikable characters of his career. The star-studded cast is arguably the main draw of “Providence.” Besides Gordon-Levitt, the film features Uzo Aduba and the reunion of Himesh Patel and Lily James, who previously played lovers in the musical film “Yesterday.”
Twisting Plots and Shifting Tones
“Providence” is structured into chapters, each focusing on a different character’s perspective. We gradually learn about the town’s eccentric inhabitants, including a massage therapist who knew the deceased, the aforementioned pair of hitmen, and the victim’s suspicious husband. Secrets begin to emerge, and the pieces of the puzzle slowly come together. Ponciroli crafts a twisty comedy with multiple storylines, each offering a unique viewpoint on the events. However, the comedic tone unexpectedly shifts towards drama as tensions rise, rain pours down, and something truly terrible is about to happen. While this tonal shift demonstrates the director’s unpredictability, the final act feels somewhat disjointed from the rest of the film.
Scene from “Providence”
The Corrupting Influence of Greed
It quickly becomes clear that “Providence” lives up to its original title, “Greedy People,” exploring the theme of human avarice. The only truly virtuous character is the police chief (Uzo Aduba), who is grieving the loss of her child. The remaining characters are anti-heroes who readily abandon their moral principles at the sight of money. Ponciroli uses comedy to examine how the lust for wealth can corrupt even the seemingly most well-intentioned individuals. The characters become entangled in a web of lies, revealing the dark sides of their souls and ultimately facing the consequences of their actions. However, the film avoids being overly moralistic. “Providence” isn’t pretentious or particularly innovative; it’s a simple and ironic tale about the dangers of lying, coveting what isn’t yours, and perhaps most importantly, not making waves on your first day of work.
While “Providence” is an entertaining watch, it struggles to compete with the classics of the crime comedy genre. Ponciroli’s film feels somewhat one-dimensional and derivative. The frantic pacing and shifting tones ultimately detract from the film, resulting in a sprawling narrative that teeters between farce and tragedy. Perhaps Ponciroli’s sole intention was to provide some late-summer entertainment. However, it’s unlikely to be a film whose plot you’ll remember for years to come.