Review of The Drop (2014) by Manny C — 20 Sep 2014

Anyone who's anyone knows that the death of the great James Gandolfini was a tremendous loss. The Drop, an explosive, potent crime drama, gives us one last chance to see a master at work. Gandolfini is marvelous as Marv, his final screen role, a small-time crook who runs a Brooklyn dive bar that serves as the money drop for Russian mobsters. The bartender is Marv's cousin, Bob (a superb Tom Hardy), who goes along with the shady dealings until he's pushed too far.

Working from a top-notch script from Dennis Lehane (adapting his own short story, Animal Rescue), director Michael R. Roskam (Bullhead) wastes not one brutal, bracing second as Bob stands up to the mobsters with a damaged woman (a terrific Noomi Rapace) and a rescued pit bull. Hardy, an actor of uncompromising force (check him out in this year's Locke) displays a slow-burn approach that brilliantly complements such a quiet role. He's a ticking time bomb and completely transfixing.

Sure, The Drop covers familiar territory, but it also boils with charged emotion. The lasting image of course is that of Gandolfini. As Marv sits in his wheelchair, looking back fondly on his days as the top dog he remarks 'I was respected. I was feared. That meant something.' It takes on even more resonance considering the actor who encapsulated the contradictions and turmoil of Tony Soprano brings such shocking gravity to what would be his final role. The close up shot of him awaiting his fate is just killer. What a loss.