The Drop

The Drop from 2014 is a multi-faceted crime drama that winds its way through the shady undercurrents of Brooklyn's local bar scene. The film boosts an impressive cast featuring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, and James Gandolfini in his final role before his untimely passing.

The story centers around Bob Saginowski, played with mesmerizing intensity by Tom Hardy. Bob is a seemingly simple man with an unusual profession. He's a bartender at a nondescript neighborhood establishment that operates as a "drop bar," a place used by local gangsters to funnel money from various illegal activities. In his life filled with alcohol and dangerous liaisons, Bob maintains a low profile, keeping to his job and tending to his seedy customers. It is in this capacity that we discover the intricate web of crime and corruption that the bar services, inadvertently drawing him into a world far murkier than the one he'd prefer to inhabit.

Hardy's Bob is perhaps the heart of the film. He portrays Saginowski with a quiet strength and complexity, reminding us once again of his wide-ranging acting prowess. Laurels must be shared with the late James Gandolfini, who plays Cousin Marv, the bar's owner and Bob's employer. Gandolfini allows us a glimpse into a man in the last lame stages of his life, struggling with choices and failures from his past while trying to navigate the harsh realities of their present life steeped in crime.

A pivotal moment arrives in the form of a battered puppy found in a trash can by the skittish and fragile Nadia, convincingly played by Noomi Rapace. Bob, showing a surprising soft side, rescues the dog and forms a bond both with the puppy and with Nadia. This subplot not only gives Bob a humanity beneath his tough exterior, but it also walks the narrative into deeper layers of conflict. The emotional ties that begin to bloom between Bob, Nadia and the dog, introduce a refreshing dynamic to the storyline, at the same time never allowing viewers to forget the imminent danger that surrounds their precarious existence.

Director Michaël R. Roskam sets the film's tone with meticulous craft. He expertly masterminds the tension that binds the characters together while keeping the looming threat of violence carefully restrained, allowing the film to simmer with a persistent suspense. Brooklyn's biting winter serves as a chilling backdrop to the narrative, emphasizing the cold and ruthless world these characters navigate.

The screenplay, penned by Dennis Lehane, is based on his own short story "Animal Rescue." Lehane, known for his gripping crime thrillers, does not disappoint here. His ability to develop interesting yet flawed characters is at the forefront, and his knack for capturing the nuance of conversation, the unsaid feelings, the tension beneath the words, all add to The Drop's allure.

The cinematography by Nicolas Karakatsanis deserves a mention, as it does an admirable job in capturing the bleakness of the Brooklyn neighborhood; it almost becomes an additional character in the film. The muted colors and dim lighting prop up the gloomy atmosphere through which Bob, Marv, and their cohorts move, further emphasizing the danger and desperation inherent in their lives.

The movie itself is less about the crime at its centre and more about the personalities caught in its web; it is brimming with character studies exquisitely rendered by a cast giving their best. Hardy anchors the film with his understated yet powerful performance, while Gandolfini, with his distinct charisma, gives his character an underlying sense of melancholy and regret.

In conclusion, The Drop is a captivating crime drama that is as much about its richly drawn characters as it is about the crime storyline. It's a film that compels the viewer to empathize with its characters, to question their motives, and to immerse oneself in the stark and haunting world they inhabit. As a crime drama, it offers a tension-filled experience that's amplified by terrific performances, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.