Review of The Drop (2006) by Nathan M — 22 Sep 2014

A slow burner thriller that resolves its plot in a way that adds more mystery to the characters and a plot twist that is subdued. Carried by a fantastic performance from Tom Hardy who disappears into every role he takes, The Drop is really about the character of Bob Saginowski and his world. Sure there are some other great performers like James Gandolfini and Noomi Rapace, but you can't take your eyes off of Hardy's subdued performance. He never talks much above a mumble, but you hear his motivations loud and clear through his eyes. The whole story is told through his eyes.

That's not to say that there isn't a story to be told. The mystery, written by author Dennis Lehane, is also very compelling. You really are engaged in how this whole story will play out, but, at the same time, you care more about what will happen to these characters. Like many of Lehane's novels, this is a story about a city, about a town. It's about what it takes to live in Brooklyn, what it takes to survive. It's about the mythos and lore of a town, and how some secrets are best left hidden.

I love how quiet of a film it is, and how much it is focused on Hardy's performance. It will require a patient viewer, but it will reward you for your patience.