‘The Drop’ takes us to a Brooklyn dark and tense

/ September 15, 2014
(From syracusenewtimes.com)

(From syracusenewtimes.com)

Read much of the work of Dennis Lehane? Seen “Mystic River,” “Gone Baby Gone” or “Shutter Island” perhaps? Well, the novels or movies from the mind of this Massachusetts crime-drama master are not requisite for enjoying “The Drop,” I don’t think, but being primed for his sort of tension surely helped me keep my wits about me in the almost full theater on a busy late Saturday afternoon in the Syracuse shopping, dining and entertainment mega complex Destiny USA.

Lehane adapted “The Drop” from his short story “Animal Rescue.” It’s set in downtrodden Brooklyn bar “Cousin Marvin’s,” a joint that Marv — the last great role for James Gandolfini, in fact — had to give up a decade ago to a Chechen syndicate for some sins. Jim, played by star-to-be Tom Hardy, is the bartender who is actually Marv’s cousin.

The plot involves a sweet pit bull, Jim’s reserved nature, a quiet woman Jim meets because of said puppy, Marv’s thoroughly sour disposition and Lehane’s deep-rooted need to twist and turn all sorts of bad folks and cop themes.

I didn’t want to blink for fear I’d miss something important.

And hey, I was born in Brooklyn.

In other words, I loved every freaking second of it.

To read my weekly Film Blog review on the quite formidable Syracuse New Times site, click the link below.

http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/quite-finish-gandolfini-drop/

Does the death of an actor make you hesitant or more eager to see a film released afterward? Who is your favorite author whose books have regularly been turned into movies, and why? Do you look for the place you were born to turn up in movies, if so, what have you noticed?

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46 thoughts on “‘The Drop’ takes us to a Brooklyn dark and tense”

  1. Mark … Several years ago, one of my 7th grade students encouraged me to read “Shutter Island.” I told him ‘no’ as I thought I would find the book too disturbing. Eventually, he won me over with my own argument about reading: “Read a couple of pages and see if you like it. If not, put it down.” Well, once I began reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I do think, however, that the content was a little too much for a 7th grader. Still, after reading it, I saw the movie. Then, I read “Mystic River” and then saw the movie.

    From your review, I think “The Drop” will be on my must see list. 😉 You’re absolutely right, Dennis Lehane does keep the plot twisting and turning. Also, I loved James Gandolfini, especially for his role in “Get Shorty.” “The Sopranos” was excellent as well.

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    • I covered Lehane’s talk in the Gifford Lecture series and read ‘Mystic River’ as prep, and was so glad to get that portal into his mind and soul. Love the way the guy is always spinning. Great lecturer, too. Movies are natural from his words.

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  3. This was an excellent review, it made me really want to go see this movie! My youngest daughter loves Tom Hardy and I have been able to get some of James Gandolfini’s movies, here at the library. I liked “Enough Said,” so I am not squeamish about watching movies showing late great actors. I enjoyed the sweet and sensitive side of J. G. after all the mafia tough moments of “The Sopranos.”
    I felt bad, watching almost a whole season of “Rizzoli and Isles” already filmed and in the ‘can,’ that included Angie Harmon’s black partner, after his death. (He committed suicide but showed him still alive in about 5-6 episodes. Then they had his death and funeral included in the plot line. After that, they did a fine job of including him, in many comments and even trying to keep his desk from being sat at or used.)
    The newly TNT series, “Dallas” had J.R. knowing (in real life) he might die, they also had a funeral and refer to his wily, dastardly ways often! In reality, many spoke about him being a nice man.
    I did not like Heath Ledger’s “The Joker” role, since it was a creepy rendition of it. I was too used to the joking one from the silly Adam West series of “Batman.” Those are the deceased actors who came to mind, when you asked this good, thought-provoking question, Mark!

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    • I’m glad you liked J.G. in “Enough Said,” Robin, because I did, too, very much, seeing the other side of his ability. This one is more Tony-like.
      I agree with your assessment, too, that TNT did a great job of handling the death of actor Lee Thompson Young, who was so important to “Rizzoli and Isles.” I was very upset to hear that he had ended his own life. It was endearing the way they wrote his death into the series, and the way the characters loved his character so much. Great comment on this one, Robin! 🙂

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  7. I love Dennis Lehane. He is definitely my favorite crime drama author. He’s very gifted. I’ll never forget being blown away by a section of a chapter he wrote about a father who goes to the funeral home to make arrangements for his murdered daughter’s funeral. All the while he is speaking with the funeral director, his mind is on his daughter’s dead body several floors below, being prepped for the funeral. He muses on all the things she will miss by having died so young, of how the grass will one day grow over her grave, and years into the future how no one will ever know or care that she once lived. It affected me very much. Wonderful writer!

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  9. Marco, I am so happy to hear from you but also sad at the job situation. I do hope things turn up quickly! You will land on your feet , I am sure. You are a super talented writer and a all around good guy! Thanks for the like. . . . Bialczak doesn’t sound like a Scottish name!!

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  10. Glad you liked every second of it. I fear we are very behind in our movie-watching. We only just saw “Mr. Holland’s Opus” last night. Perhaps this one 20 yrs from now.

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    • I have to admit, I never saw Mr. Holland’s Opus, Kerbey, so you are ahead of me in that one. When I was a sports editor of the big daily 1983-1991, I was so wrapped up in the nighttime and weekend hours that I did far less movie-going. I have this gap of movies I need to catch up with on Netflix, cable …

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  11. This post definitely made me want to see this movie, Mark, but I can’t remember any of your freaking questions. Actually, I’m concerned I may be freaked out by “The Drop.” Thanks for an engaging and intriguing post.

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