Review of Gimme the Loot (2012) by Nick O — 25 Sep 2013

It speaks volumes to "Gimme the Loot's" totally not showy, completely un-flashy humbleness -- the same sort of elements that go into falling in love -- that writer-director Adam Leon chose to leave his name for last in the movie's closing credits. I'm sure a lot of "Loot" was improvised, but that isn't to forsake Leon's talent as being something to watch; nor is it to ignore the shear standalone excellence of his debut feature. A white guy whose previous credits include production assistant on two films by Woody Allen (who doesn't get much whiter), Leon is strikingly adept at layering language and everyday urban city culture while also able to cross out the static and bullshit to tell a singular story.

"Gimme the Loot" is Spike Lee meets "Exit Through the Gift Shop". You don't have to know -- or even care -- jack about street art for "Loot" to hit a chord. Even the deaf would be head over heels for the physical energy of the lead performances by Tashiana Washington and Ty Hickson, two actors that marriage the spontaneity and sophistication of body motion and words to get at the heart of New York City's fight moves of rush, noise and swagger. They play graffiti artists out to tag the Mets' Home Run Apple to spite a rival crew that paint over their work. "Gimme the Loot" is cinema that feels in-the-moment and alive. Don't make the mistake of looking to it for any larger point, because blink and you'll miss appreciating it as a great movie, gritty and real without ever seeming bleak, because it flat-out no question is.