Movie Review: The Drop

A shot of whiskey has never been so intimidating as in this movie.

In The Drop, Tom Hardy plays Bob Saganowski, a bartender at a Mob-run Brooklyn pub owned by his cousin Marv (James Gandolfini). Their bar is one of many that occasionally is picked as a "drop bar," where all the dirty money in the city goes for that night. One night, however, they're robbed by two men in masks, leading to all kinds of trouble and his newly adopted puppy.

I found this movie to be quite enjoyable - many scenes has intensity and suspense that most recent films lack. These moments were true, edge-of-your-seat thrills. The reason I mentioned a shot of whiskey at the beginning of this review was in reference to such a scene where the protagonist's fate is basically dependent on whether or not a mobster likes the whiskey served to him. The film is complex and delightfully dark, especially the twist end, giving it an element that feels almost like a noir.

Tom Hardy gives a great performance as the innocent guy in a bad place, and James Gandolfini's temperamental performance is also impressive. The movie's acting is definitely one of it's high points.

My biggest problem with the movie is that often the events seem unconnected. One scene does not lead to the next, they more just seem to happen in that order. The dialogue, however, is sharp and witty, and was one of the more enjoyable elements of the film.

Overall: 3.5 out of four stars. It's a good movie, definitely worth your time to see.

Reference scale:
A Walk Among Tombstones < The Drop < Zodiac