For the second time this year, I find myself watching the last significant film role played by one of my favourite actors. James Gandolfini, usually a welcome supporting actor, was shot to stardom by the TV series ‘The Sopranos’ in 1999. Despite impressive small roles in ‘In the Loop’, ‘Killing Them Softly’ and ‘Zero Dark 30’, he didn’t really fully capitalise on his new found fame until his final two movies. Last year’s brilliant ‘Enough Said’, saw him deliver a funny and unexpectedly tender performance. Now, in ‘The Drop’, he is playing more to type as New York bar owner with a shady past and connections to the Chechen mafia.
He runs the bar with the help of his apparently mild mannered cousin, Bob (Tom Hardy). The title of the film refers to how the bar is used (among other things) for holding mob cash before it is collected. A robbery at the bar, which results in some of that money being stolen, sets in motion a series of events that can only end in tragedy. In the meantime, Bob has fallen for a local woman, Nadia (Noomi Rapace), after they discover and adopt a seemingly abandoned dog. A decision that puts both of them in further danger.
This is a low key, gritty movie, skilfully adapted from his own short story by the celebrated crime writer Dennis Lehane. The down on its luck neighbourhood is well captured by the director, Michael R. Roksam and cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis. I never found it any other than believable, thanks, in no small part, to the three lead actors. Gandolfini gives a fine final performance, and Hardy, following up his equally compelling but very different role in ‘Locke’, is magnetic. Rapace is an actress who has struggled to find the right parts since the ‘Dragon Tattoo’ trilogy, but here she gives a touching and nuanced performance that should signify her breakthrough in English language films.
Some may find the story a little predictable, but the atmosphere and performances really make this worth seeing.
Rating: 8 out of 10