It is hard to watch God’s Pocket without a feeling of sadness as it features Philip Seymour Hoffman’s penultimate appearance in a film before his extremely untimely death. Hoffman was incapable of giving a bad performance, and whilst this effort will probably not end up on many best of lists, he is once again on great form. He plays Mickey, a man struggling to make ends meet in a rundown Philadelphia neighbourhood called God’s Pocket. The sudden death of his unpleasant and unpopular stepson Leon, means that he has the additional problem of trying to find the money to pay for the funeral, whilst his wife (Jeanie, Christina Hendricks) does not believe he was accidentally killed at work.
This is a gritty, compelling drama, laced with moments of black humour, particularly in the scenes involving Smilin’ Jack the undertaker – a wonderful turn by Eddie Marsan – and Mickey’s attempts to have Leon’s body put to rest. Directed by Mad Men star John Slattery, this is a real actor’s showcase with excellent performances also from John Turturro as Mickey’s friend and some time partner in crime and especially Richard Jenkins as the alcoholic reporter who falls in love Jeanie. Hendricks isn’t quite so impressive but she is playing the least credible character in the movie.
Written by Slattery and Alex Metcalfe, this is a much better adaptation of a Peter Dexter book than last year’s overwrought The Paperboy. More grounded, with characters who feel more like recognisable human beings, the tension in and the deprivation of the neighbourhood is really brought to life.
This is a cracking, low budget, quickly shot film with plenty to savour.
Rating 8 out of 10