Killing Them Softly (2012)

Jackie Cogan is an enforcer hired to restore order after three dumb guys rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse.

Director:

Andrew Dominik

Writers:

Andrew Dominik (screenplay), George V. Higgins (based on the novel "Cogan's Trade" by)

Stars:

Brad Pitt, Scoot McNairy, Richard Jenkins

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brad Pitt	...	Jackie
Scoot McNairy	...	Frankie
Ben Mendelsohn	...	Russell
James Gandolfini	...	Mickey
Richard Jenkins	...	Driver
Vincent Curatola	...	Johnny Amato
Ray Liotta	...	Markie Trattman
Trevor Long	...	Steve Caprio
Max Casella	...	Barry Caprio
Sam Shepard	...	Dillon
Slaine	...	Kenny Gill
Linara Washington	...	Hooker
Ross Brodar	...	Poker Guy
Wade Allen	...	Business Suit Agent
Christopher Berry	...	Cab Driver Agent

Storyline

Three amateurs stickup a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse. Brad Pitt plays the hitman hired to track them down and restore order. Killing Them Softly also features Richard Jenkins , James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, and Vincent Curatola. Max Casella, Trevor Long, Slaine and Sam Shepard also make appearances.

---

Plot Keywords:

contract killer | reference to barack obama | alcoholism | contract killing | sex talk | 

---

Taglines:

In America you're on your own

---

Genres:

Crime | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, sexual references, pervasive language, and some drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official Twitter Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 November 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cogan's Trade

Filming Locations:

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport - 900 Airline Drive, Kenner, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$6,812,900 (USA) (30 November 2012)

Gross:

$14,938,570 (USA) (11 January 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Plan B Entertainment, 1984 Private Defense Contractors, Annapurna Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Zoe Saldana was considered for a role.

---

Goofs

In the bar scene with Jackie and Mickey, the drinks on the table seem to be constantly changing. The levels in the glasses change, the number of glasses on the table change and the arrangement of the glasses change.

---

Quotes

Jackie Cogan: They cry, they plead, they beg, they piss themselves, they cry for their mothers. It gets embarrassing. I like to kill 'em softly. From a distance

---

Connections

Featured in Bad Movie Beatdown: Review of 2012 (2013)
Film Brain says this movie was underwhelming for him

---

Soundtracks

"Heroin"
Written by Lou Reed
Courtese of Metal Machine Machine Music (BMI)
Performed by the Velvet Underground
Courtesy of Universal Records
under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Solid, Hero-less, Unsentimental Crime Movie

This movie was done in a style that was quite unique from your standard issue shoot 'em up or Scorsese gangster movie in a number of ways I found refreshing. It slowed down the pace of dialogue scenes to a relatable and believable level, made the violence far more realistic, and didn't overdo the music. Those who can't handle too much, or too realistic of violence won't like this movie.

Some might feel the dialogue makes the movie drag just a bit, but if you like realistic filmmaking, they've made it feel as if you're sitting in on actual conversations. The scenes and cuts are long but are livened up with the fairly constant scummy-ness of the characters. James Gandolfini seemed to prattle on a little too much but I suppose that was the point.

The violence can be summed up as unsentimental; much of it can be defined by the difficult achievement of not falling into played out Hollywood clichés. There are no heros in this movie as the director doesn't use cheap tricks, like voiceovers, disproportionate screen time, or happy music to convince you that one criminal is worth rooting for over the others. There is no glorification or demonization of violence, as it is depicted without the influence of music, and the audience can decide for themselves about what is being shown. There are no Schwartzenegger-style shoot outs, as the violence is usually sudden but brutal and loud. Every gunshot is closer to being as loud as real life, so you get a little jolt with every shot like being at a gun range.

The use of music is also played down and important in making both the violence and dialogue distinct. There is some music which gives the movie some energy, but overall far less than the average Hollywood film. This adds an element of suspense as the music doesn't give away what is about to happen in every scene (like a movie with ominous music when something bad is about to happen, etc.). The lack of music also allows the audience a semblance of neutrality in what they are observing; characters are allowed to be likable without being good.

This is the sort of movie you could expect if the hero was removed and you only had the villains and thugs left over--it is far less boring.