When Brad Pitt was a rising star around 20 years ago, he appeared in a smaller scale film directed by Robert Redford. At the time Pitt was touted as the next golden boy of cinema to follow in the footsteps of Redford.
A decade later both Pitt and Redford appeared on screen for the first time in Spy Game. Redford admitted at the time he wanted to see how Pitt had progressed as an actor in the intervening 10 years.
It will be true to say that Pitt has followed the Redford play-book somewhat. He has realised there is more to being just a movie star and look for the next box office popcorn hit. Pitt has taken on risky projects from Fight Club, Seven and Babel to crowd pleaser's such as Ocean's 11 trilogy or Mr and Mrs Smith.
Killing me Softly is a film noir and an independent film with political nuances which merge as the film concludes. Its setting is the autumn of 2008 during the banking crisis and US Presidential elections as we see extensive news clips throughout the film.
Pitt plays a hit-man called Cogan who is hired by the mob to rub out two hoods who robbed a poker game. Cogan likes to kill his victims without warning so not giving them an opportunity for fear or despair. An act he describes as killing them softly.
The film is a low key affair. There is plenty of swearing, violence and Pitt although being the main star is actually a part of an ensemble piece.
James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta and several others all have scenes to shine although the actors playing the two hoodlums quickly get irritating. You actually cannot wait for them to get shot. Sam Shepard makes an all too brief cameo.
The film's noirish plot can become a little confusing if you do not pay enough attention. The violence might be off putting for some. Other's might be left flummoxed as to why we have so many news stories on the financial crisis and the US elections.
It rewards you at the end but the message sort of got lost in the violence and stories of bad guys many who have no redeeming features.
A decade later both Pitt and Redford appeared on screen for the first time in Spy Game. Redford admitted at the time he wanted to see how Pitt had progressed as an actor in the intervening 10 years.
It will be true to say that Pitt has followed the Redford play-book somewhat. He has realised there is more to being just a movie star and look for the next box office popcorn hit. Pitt has taken on risky projects from Fight Club, Seven and Babel to crowd pleaser's such as Ocean's 11 trilogy or Mr and Mrs Smith.
Killing me Softly is a film noir and an independent film with political nuances which merge as the film concludes. Its setting is the autumn of 2008 during the banking crisis and US Presidential elections as we see extensive news clips throughout the film.
Pitt plays a hit-man called Cogan who is hired by the mob to rub out two hoods who robbed a poker game. Cogan likes to kill his victims without warning so not giving them an opportunity for fear or despair. An act he describes as killing them softly.
The film is a low key affair. There is plenty of swearing, violence and Pitt although being the main star is actually a part of an ensemble piece.
James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta and several others all have scenes to shine although the actors playing the two hoodlums quickly get irritating. You actually cannot wait for them to get shot. Sam Shepard makes an all too brief cameo.
The film's noirish plot can become a little confusing if you do not pay enough attention. The violence might be off putting for some. Other's might be left flummoxed as to why we have so many news stories on the financial crisis and the US elections.
It rewards you at the end but the message sort of got lost in the violence and stories of bad guys many who have no redeeming features.