Darren Aronofsky is a well regarded director but I think his best work before now is easily his debut feature, Pi, and he has more misses than hits, including his last two, the ridiculous Mother! and the dubious The Whale. His latest is set in 1990’s New York and is adapted by Charlie Huston from his own book of the same name. When a former baseball player, Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) agrees to look after his neighbour Russ’ cat, he finds himself caught in the middle of a group of gangsters.
I would say that this is a return to form, but I think that Caught Stealing is his most accomplished work to date. The gritty setting gives the film a whiff of authenticity. There are references to gentrification of the neighbourhood but it still feels like the grimy, desperate New York underbelly that was more common in 1970’s movies.
The story twists nicely without ever being too flashy and Hank’s actions are generally believable rather than to function the needs of the plot. As a self pitying alcoholic, Hank is not initially a character I warmed to, but I was rooting for him, and the cat he reluctantly acquired, by the satisfying end.
Butler made little impression in Eddington recently, but he is outstanding here. The supporting cast is packed with talent. I particularly enjoyed Matt Smith as Russ and his relationship with Hank. Liev Schrieber and Vincent D’Onofrio also stand out as a pair of Jewish gangsters.
This is one of the best crime flicks of recent years, violent, fast and compelling.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10