The Drop
Dir: Michaël R. Roskam
2014
****
Michaël R. Roskam follows up his provocative 2011 Bullhead with an equally quirky but stylish thriller. It's clear that Roskam has no time for formula, I thought Bullhead came close to what I think he wanted to achieve but The Drop certainly gets it right. Just when you think The Drop is going to descend into a convoluted crime drama full of cliche and hi-jinks, it lightens itself of any shackles and gets on with the story. It isn't a new idea as such, the scenario, characters and situation are nothing we haven't seen before but the order is different. This is what Roskam does best, he takes all the same jigsaw pieces and then makes a totally different picture to the one that's on the box. It's rather unique as thrillers go and is a refreshing change of pace. It's also a fitting last film for the brilliant James Gandolfini who died of a heart-attack before the film's release, as his character was what he was known for classically and his performance was effortless. Tom Hardy was very convincing in the lead role and Matthias schoenaert was exceptional in his supporting role, both actors going from strength to strength. Noomi Rapace is also impressive, The Drop being the first film in a long time she's felt right in. The direction is stylishly demure which gives off an eerie hopelessness that is also strangely comforting in a matter-of-fact way. Alternative but subtle, hopefully the beginning of a trend.