The Drop
Director: Michaël R. Roskam.
Screenplay: Dennis Lehane.
Starring: Tom Hardy, James Gandolfini, Matthias Schoenearts, Noomi Rapace, John Ortiz, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Michael Aranov, Morgan Spector, Michael Esperanto, James Fresheville, Tobias Segal, Chris Sullivan, Patricia Squire, Ann Dowd.
“Are you doing something desperate? Something we can’t clean up this time?”
The Drop is one of those films that almost sneaks by an audience but strangely there’s still something that catches the eye. That something may be because it’s yet another adaptation of the normally successful page to screen transfer of crime novelist Dennis Lehane (Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River & Shutter Island); the English language debut of Bullhead director Michaël R. Roskam or that it features the last screen performance of the late, great James Gandolfini. All of these are reason enough to see it, but the one that really makes it worthwhile is the ubiquitous and quietly commanding Tom Hardy.
Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) is a lonely, unassuming bartender working with his cousin Marv (James Gandolfini) in his Brooklyn bar. Marv is a bit of a has-been who lost his bar to incoming Chechen gangsters who use the establishment as a “drop” for illegal money takings. However, when the bar is robbed it puts them in a tight spot and leads to an investigation that brings up the past and the depths of the neighbourhood’s criminal affairs.
This is a film that has come in for a fair bit of criticism from numerous corners and criticism that I, personally, find a little harsh. Predominantly, the issues many have stem from plot strands not coming together or Lehane going a bit on the soft side and to a minor extent I can agree with this. There are some problems with the narrative, namely a religious sub-plot involving John Ortiz’s church-going cop that feels misplaced and underdeveloped and the talented likes of Noomi Rapace is wasted in a woefully underwritten supporting role. However, what the film manages to capture is a perfect sombre mood and uses a patient approach that very much works in it’s favour.
Cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis captures Brooklyn in all it’s blue collar edginess while the two central characters in Bob and Marv are afforded the space to grow and develop at their own pace – resulting in both Gandolfini and, especially, Hardy raising the film to a whole other level. There’s also a good support from rising Belgian actor Matthias Schoenaerts (Bullhead, Rust and Bone). However, Gandolfini’s presence hangs heavily over the film and it’s a real shame that this is the last we’ll see of this fantastic actor. That being said, he’s not the main player and you get the impression that Gandolfini is happy to step aside and allow Hardy to do his thing.
I don’t suppose there’s anything here that hasn’t been done before but that still doesn’t take away from this slow-burning, gritty drama. It’s a fine addition to a sub-genre that I have a real soft spot for and that’s, ultimately, down to the strong performances. Roskam has a good command over Lehane’s prose and dialogue but as intriguing as the elusive plot is, it comes secondary to the characterisation. And in the hands of Hardy and Gandolfini, there’s plenty of that to be had.
We may have lost a great actor that’ll be hard to replace in Gandolfini, however, rising star Schoenaerts is deservedly becoming more prolific and Tom Hardy just continually manages to impress. The Drop‘s low-life tale of criminality benefits from seeing all three deliver solid work. 
Mark Walker
Trivia: Before starring together in the film, Tom Hardy’s performance in Bronson (2008) and Matthias Schoenaerts’s performance in Bullhead (2011) were Steven Ogg’s inspirations to play the crazed Trevor Phillips in the video game Grand Theft Auto V. Steven Ogg revealed his inspirations at New York Comic Con in October 2013.
MARKED MOVIES 
October 5, 2015 at 3:52 pm
I still need to see this! I’ve seen the photos of Tom Hardy and THAT dog everywhere 😛 Of course that’s not the only reason and glad to hear you love this one, Mark!
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October 5, 2015 at 8:49 pm
Its definitely worth a look, Ruth. Like I mention in my review it came in for some criticism in terms of some plot strands but although I noticed them, I didn’t grumble too much. The mood and acting were top drawer stuff.
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October 5, 2015 at 5:01 pm
I still need to catch up to this one, Mark. Thanks for the reminder.
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October 5, 2015 at 8:50 pm
Yeah, stick this on your list, Michael. It’s a great little atmospheric crime flick with some excellent performances.
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October 5, 2015 at 8:11 pm
Certainly one of the quieter releases that will ever have a cast of names like this involved. I thought The Drop was great, a fantastically brooding, no-nonsense tale intimately set and masterfully performed. Top work Mr. Walker. Top work sir.
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October 5, 2015 at 8:53 pm
Couldn’t agree more here my man! Glad to hear you’re also a fan. I was disappointed that it was criticised by quite a few. I noticed some flaws here and there but they didn’t take away from the overall experience. Hardy is superb and it’s great to see Matthias Schoenaerts get regular work these days – he was phenomenal in Bullhead. Sadly, it’s Gandolfini’s last, but a good film to go out on!
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October 5, 2015 at 11:38 pm
A great one. It was truly haunting seeing him in this. Bittersweet too. Phenomenally gifted actor, R.I.P. Mr Soprano.
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October 6, 2015 at 1:58 pm
Fabulous actor! There was still a lot more he could have contributed.
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October 6, 2015 at 2:38 am
Nice review Mark. Haven’t seen this, but I do love Gandolfini. Still can’t believe he passed away.
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October 6, 2015 at 1:59 pm
It’s worth a look, man. The performances are great. It’s a shame that we lost Gandolfini but this is a good performance to remember him by.
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October 6, 2015 at 11:23 am
That’s one handsomely assembled cast there. Fantastic review as ever Mark.
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October 6, 2015 at 2:00 pm
Cheers Vinnie. Noomi Rapace is wasted but Hardy, Gandolfini and Schoanerts are good, man. I really liked this little flick!
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October 6, 2015 at 3:26 pm
It’s going on my movies to watch list right now.
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October 7, 2015 at 6:42 am
Great post Mark. I arrived at the same score you did, I thought this was a great flick
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October 7, 2015 at 7:30 am
Nice to hear, Jordan! I was quite taken with this little flick. A solid addition to the genre and the performances are just fantastic!
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October 7, 2015 at 7:32 am
Damn straight! I was pleasantly surprised by this one
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October 7, 2015 at 7:43 am
I was too. I listened to a lot of opinions who were less than favourable. As a result, my expectations were lowered which worked in my favour in the end.
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October 7, 2015 at 8:15 am
Nice, always handy when that happens! And you are right about Tom Hardy in this one. He seems commanding without really being over the top. He and that Belgian actor were fantastic
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October 7, 2015 at 8:39 am
I really enjoyed Hardy’s work here. Understated yet very powerful. Great to Gandolfini as well and I’m fast becoming a big fan of Matthias Schoanaerts.
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October 7, 2015 at 9:07 am
yeah i wanna see Matthias Schoanaerts in more stuff for sure.
if you are interested mark:
http://epilepticmoondancer.net/2014/12/05/the-drop-2014/
these were my thoughts
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October 7, 2015 at 9:27 am
Schoanaerts in Bullhead and Rust and Bone are great to start with.
Cheers for the link, man. That makes things much easier. I’ll stop off in a little bit. 🙂
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October 7, 2015 at 10:09 am
I’ll have to check those films out, I LOVED him in The Drop
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October 7, 2015 at 10:29 am
He’s even better in those two. I highly recommend them. Definitely an actor to watch. He’s on the rise!
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October 8, 2015 at 10:30 am
Nice review, and agree with it all whole-heartedly. The more people that see this the better! Everything about this film is played perfectly.
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October 8, 2015 at 10:46 am
A very underrated film, man. I’m actually quite surprised that it didn’t get more love and attention. I also loved Bullhead and now eager to see what Roskam does next.
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October 11, 2015 at 8:04 pm
Probably would only get three stars for me as it doesn’t stay that long in the memory. You having a Tom Hardy fest by the way? If so, enjoy!
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October 11, 2015 at 9:16 pm
I can understand some people having issues the film but I was able to overlook it’s faults as the mood and performances were so good.
As it goes, this and Locke was me just tidying up older reviews that I never got a chance to post before I went AWOL. That said, I just watched Child 44 the other night so you could say that I’m on an unofficial Hardy fest. Such a good actor.
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October 11, 2015 at 8:15 pm
There were definitely good elements to this and I don’t mind a slow burner but for me the payoff just wasn’t good enough and I was left feeling a bit disappointed.
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October 11, 2015 at 9:18 pm
I’ve heard quite a few folk say similar things, Abbi. It worked for me, though. I enjoyed the performances and I’m a sucker for a lowbrow crime flick. I was quite satisfied with the payoff and by Hardy’s surprise transformation.
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November 1, 2015 at 4:10 pm
Caught up with this one this week and enjoyed it. The fact it concerns itself with characters rather than the deed makes it more unique. I like the fact there were no real good guys – maybe just the dog. I also liked the ending.
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November 2, 2015 at 12:51 pm
With you on that, man! I thought the characters were very interesting and the performances superb. I think this flick has been unfairly judged by quite a few.
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