The Drop: A Crime Thriller That Fails to Ignite
“The Drop” arrives as a crime thriller seemingly shackled by its own potential, struggling to break free from a leash of predictability. The film, while boasting a compelling premise, unfortunately lacks the necessary energy and drive to truly captivate. Like a promising racehorse held back at the starting gate, it wastes much of its initial momentum.
Set against the gritty backdrop of Brooklyn, the story centers on Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy), a seemingly simple and solitary young man tending bar at his cousin Marv’s (James Gandolfini) establishment. A decade prior, the local mafia seized control of Marv’s bar, transforming it into a “drop” – a discreet location for laundering illicit cash from across the city. Bob, while attempting to forge a connection with an enigmatic acquaintance and cousin Marv struggles to rectify his own debt issues, soon this small establishment becomes a target for a risky robbery.
A Bleak Portrayal of Brooklyn’s Underbelly
Originally intended to be directed by Neil Burger, who later departed for “Divergent”, “The Drop” marks the Hollywood debut of Michaël R. Roskam.
While external observation may offer a limited understanding of New York City, often shaped by tourist experiences, “The Drop” presents a stark and unsettling vision. Roskam immerses viewers in a dim and murky atmosphere reminiscent of classic noir, transporting them to an era of unchecked gangsterism and widespread crime. This portrayal may leave some questioning the more sanitized images of modern New York, as Roskam offers his perspective on Brooklyn’s dark underbelly.
Interwoven Plot Threads
“The Drop” strives to transcend the conventions of a typical crime thriller by weaving a web of interconnected storylines, seeking to keep the audience engaged. Initially, the film unfolds along two parallel narratives. The primary plot revolves around the events at Marv’s bar, where a brazen robbery by unidentified assailants puts Marv and Bob in hot water with their Chechen “overlords.” Simultaneously, viewers are offered a glimpse into Bob’s private life, where he discovers an abandoned pit bull puppy and embarks on a journey to nurse it back to health. This journey leads him to Nadia (Noomi Rapace), a woman with a troubled past.
As a tentative romance blossoms between Bob and Nadia, the criminal undercurrents of the film intensify, paving the way for a predictable and bloody conclusion. Sadly, a stale taste is left at the movie’s close.
Squandered Potential
On the surface, “The Drop” possesses the ingredients for a gripping thriller, capable of holding viewers captive for a standard Hollywood runtime. However, the film ultimately falls short of its potential. While the absence of clear-cut heroes and villains is not inherently problematic, the film suffers from a singular, rather obvious plot twist involving the instigator of the robbery. The remaining elements serve primarily to establish atmosphere and add superficial depth to the characters.
Uneven Performances
Tom Hardy’s performance, While not detrimental by any magnitude, it’s clear there’s a lack of intention to push any performance boundries here. Mimicking Marlon Brando, it’s apparent that even a small measure of “shuffle-gait” can lead to an irritating level if sustained for too long. James Gandolfini’s portrayal is far less spectacular. Noomi Rapace is far less impressive; ultimately she doesn’t have enough screen presence to make any impact.
The only real energy is delivered by Matthias Schoenaerts, due to it being so contrasted against the others, where the best compliment could be “they didn’t yawn on set”.
Glimmers of Redemption
Despite it’s failings, “The Drop” manages have moments. Hardy has a commendable monologue, Gandolfini has some subtle shots, and the twist at the end. Philosophical ponderings are present, although overdone, about a person’s place in life (we’ve all heard of it).
However, in order to extract any real enjoyment, don’t plan on receiving a masterpiece. There’s blood, there’s a few corpses, but also there’s a messy atmosphere, and it’s easier to blame everything besides acknowledging your own failures, and that’s the sadest drop of them all.