MOVIE REVIEW - The Drop

You can tell that the weather has changed, kids are back in school and fall is in the air.  As a result of all of this, the tenor has changed at the movies and the adult movies are here.

A new drama called The Drop is new this week and is terrific.  The fall and winter always bring out the stories that are big on story, acting and direction.  And The Drop is here to usher this new wave of great movies in for 2014.

The Drop is a great story that takes place in Brooklyn - modern day.  This is the story of Marv (James Gandolfini) and Bob (Tom Hardy).  They are cousins that have a bar called Cousin Marv's that is a local neighborhood joint.   Years ago, Marv and his gambling ways, lost the bar that carries his name to the Russian mob.  Although he still has his name on it, it's not his, and is used as a "drop bar."  A drop bar is a place where cash is dropped off every single day that is illegal in one way or another.  Then at the end of the day, the Russian mob comes in and picks up the money. 

Bob and Marv are essentially owned by the mob.   Problem is, Marv is longing for the good old days when he was the local crime kingpin, and he was getting rich off other people's misfortune. So he decides to double cross the Russian mob, and reclaim at ton of cash as his life is closing in on him. And who is Bob?  A seemingly quiet young man, afraid of life and women.  He finds an abandoned puppy, and through this encounter meets up with Nadia.  She is a local girl looking for love as well. But who is she? And what about Bob?  And who will be caught in the crossfire, if the Russian mob finds out who is duping them?

It is so good to see the late Gandolfini on the screen again. He is amazing and perfectly cast in a role that was made for him as the washed up, and frustrated Marv.  I am also a big Tom Hardy fan, and he is wonderful as the reluctant Bob.  We don't see Hardy in many movies, and I love him in about everything he's in. The supporting cast is wonderful and this is a great, great story.

This movie looks terrific.  This really propels you to the bowels of Brooklyn and you feel like your part of the old neighborhood. This is a movie that is a true slow burn suspense thriller.  It takes its time telling you a great story, but it's pacing is really strong.  You feel like you are in the room, and watching it all play out with you as witness. There is some isolated violence that is necessary, but this really uses its head and keeps its credibility from start to finish.  This is in limited release, but worth a drive to find it.

The Drop.  One of the years best so far.