Continues Dominik's exploration of masculinity, the power of media representation, and the psycho-physical actuality of violence. Here he adds an interrogation of the decadence of industrial democracy: on the one hand, the thoroughly overdetermined (that is, predictable) plot indicates the systemic (if softly fatal) operation of contemporary capitalism; on the other hand, this is overlaid by human beings who drift in and out of the narrative, each testifying to their status as systemic losers.

A fun ride, but one that's compromised by the clunky insertion of political dialogue throughout. That said, the first twenty minutes or so do an excellent job of building tension, especially through the use of close-ups, tracking shots, and silence. The criminals in this film are deeply cynical, and while I'm sympathetic to some of the sentiments in the final speech, it seems dubious to make criminals the image of America.

Not especially subtle or groundbreaking, but it does its job of telling a story about a bunch of moron criminals royally screwing the pooch. The slow motion killing scenes are also a bit much; hyper-stylized but add nothing to the film. The performances are great, especially Liotta. His expression when he comes out of the bathroom to find a gun in his face is perfect and it tells the audience everything he's thinking. The movie works more as a showcase of Dominik's breadth as a filmmaker.

Last lines saved it.

A slight disappointment coming from the director of one of my favourite films of the last decade (Assassination of Jesse James). It never really grabbed me and its political message can be heavy handed. That said, it's well made, has fine performances and there are several really cool shootout scenes.

I liked it but I feel disappointed. It's definitely not on the level of Jesse James. I appreciate the satire, and there are moments I love (beginning, end, some other parts). The slow pace mostly works but sometimes I found my mind wandering. I enjoyed the dialogue sometimes but it lacks 'oomph' sometimes: a reason to want to listen. When the movie is on it's ON. But what bothers me the most is that I thought this would be a movie that haunts my mind after, and it's not.

well-done ...

I thought Jackie Cogan was a fantastic character, especially his closing monologue, and I really enjoyed the music choices. However, I thought the political commentary came across as heavy-handed, ineffective, and incohesive. Overall, a step down from The Assassination of Jesse James, although I'm still interested to see what Andrew Dominik does in the future.

Has fantastic individual scenes, such as the robbery at the beginning and the beating of Liotta. Doesn't have much momentum going throughout it, nor the unspoken intensity that made Assassination of Jesse James great.

Pitt spits fire and Andrew Dominik, once again, shows that dialogue can be stylish all the same. The gorgeous cinematography and superb cast head a fairly stagnant narrative, turning this film into something pretty great. Good things are yet to come with Dominik.

This is a dark, tense, visceral, and eerily beautiful film.

Poorly updated version of The Friends of Eddie Coyle (complete with a 70s vibe, even though it's set in 2008). This is NOT a Hollywood crime film, so much as a preachy, social-commentary (with attempts at stylish filmmaking) about how the 99% are getting screwed; how money matters more than people. The last speech is among the best examples of when a filmmaker unnecessarily spells out the "message" of the film. (psi: 69)

Amazing!

The political message becomes tiresome rather soon until a perfect sledge-hammer of an ending. Mendehlson and McNairy are more annoying than good but Gandolfini. Jenkins and certainly Pitt saves the day.

Dwells too much on scenes less compelling, and it's obvious that writer/director Dominik got a bit touchy-feely and couldn't kill some of his overwritten lesser darlings; we get were you're going, no need to rubber-hammer it in. The good parts are really good though; not just performances from a strong cast, but also some well-shoot scenes and when the dialogue is more focused. *Preview*: #13#, hype, story, reviews, (director-writer Dominik/1), actors.

(2nd viewing) Likely bound to polarize its audience, "Killing Them Softly" should inspire nothing but genuine enthusiasm among ardent filmgoers. From the excellent use of sound, deliberate pace or superb soundtrack, every choice is a testament to Dominik's carefully thought-out direction. Characters are admirably underplayed and the film's dash of unflinching violence proves impactful in its realistic depiction. Repeat viewings recommended.

Andrew Dominik hits another nail on the head, this time from a completely different approach with a modern adaption of the wildly bizarre Cogan's Trade. Every character but Cogan is a mess and the plot chugs along as predicted, highlighting each character's self-implosions. The cast is up and down terrific and Dominik never fails to deliver a visceral punch with every sound or frame.

Could've become something more, something better, but didn't take the opportunity. Some solid directing and acting, has some absolutely great moments of camerawork and yet.. It didn't surprise me, it didn't grab my attention.

Curious but arrogant satire of gangster film with a highly pretentious political agenda -- we hear and see authorities talking about the financial crisis all the way -- and a couple of funny lines about how the mob needed to cut some costs after things got nasty at Wall Street. It's cynical film, with a main character (Cogan) that doesn't believe in relationships -- the core of most mafia flicks. He's in it for the money.

a very subtle script defines an uncharacteristic somber tone (for a hollywood cast, nonetheless), but it's not the writing, or the acting it's lacking. it's the pacing, the delibarate, painful wallowing that hinders this one. tier up a notch just for the beat down scene, though. admit it, liotta had that coming for a long time now.

Weak story from beginning to end.

So bad. So disappointed. I've never seen more redundant, babbling dialogue. But I did like the sound and soundtrack.

I don't know about this one. It starts on an off-kilter note, with a pair of sleazes robbing an illegal poker game. After a while Brad Pitt shows up as a hitman assigned to resolve the situation. Meanwhile, the 2008 election is happening. A pretty simple thriller until the last minute or so, when it tries for full-on political allegory--and falls on its face. Great direction, good acting (James Gandolfini all but steals the show in just two scenes), but those final moments simply do not work.

I'm quite certain I've watched this before a dozen times only done better. A mostly average film.

Takes place in a dying Detroit, featuring characters that could be from a Guy Richie movie (complete with hypnotic rhythms of speech), except without much humor. Nothing seems to work in this movie. The environments are run down, the cars are old and boxy, the fixer's assistant is no help, deaths are messy, everyone is incompetent, the only money to be made is through theft, etc., etc. Provides a strong sense of atmosphere and some tense moments, but the political juxtaposition is a bit clumsy.

politics ruined an otherwise very good movie

Allright, you are cool Mr. Pitt

it's definition of shallowness

Last lines was something that I expected from this movie, but I found it only at the end of it.

Now who the fuck cares with subtlety when a film is so damn good? And what a way of ending a movie, let me tell you. Cogan is america, likes to kill softly, and Dominik is definitely a great american filmmaker.

A good crime comedy if a little on-the-nose with it's message. Elevated largely by a great cast with a variety of good performances, many of which do well with limited screen time. Menacing and restrained in dialogue but explosive, brash and colourful in it's violence. Let down by maybe a meandering plot and pacing, with the subtlety of the satire leaving a little to be desired. When your film ends with the protagonist spelling out the message, no matter how powerful, it feels a little silly.

I don't feel that I went into this with any expectations and I'm glad I didn't or my rating would've been lower. It could've been SO much better.

Heavy-handed and showily directed, but with nice performances and dialogue, plus the showy parts are mostly pretty cool. On first viewing, I don't think it is especially good or overly interesting in its commentary, but it's different and stylish and dumb people seem to hate it, which is usually a good sign.

Beautiful photography and nice performance by Pitt. I always like Liotta :)

I loved the dialogue in this film. I also thought some of the action scenes were brilliantly violent and artistic. Especially when they played very slow happy music while it was going on. The worst part was that this movie didn't follow the plan it had set up. Brad Pitt says he likes to "Kill People Softly" from a distance, and yet he only kills one person like that. The other people he kills up close. He even kills a guy that he says he won't kill and they don't explain that well.

A movie where James Gandolfini and Ray Liotta are old timers who just don't have it anymore in a society "less about the relationships & hard work and all about the money". There's no love and respect anymore. This movie reminded me that I'd love to watch Miller's Crossing again. Or No Country for Old Men. It seems the Coens handle this material much better! I liked the performances, and I liked the message of the film - but the execution was poorly done and not one I'd like to revisit.

A bit slow, but stylish all the same. Some great camera work and some great dialogue that surely made up for the pace. Dominik establishes his style in this one.