THE DROP DVD (2014)

SYNOPSIS: Lonely bartender Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) and his hardened employer cousin Marv (James Gandolfini), run a bar that is used as a "drop" - a covert scheme that funnels cash to local gangsters. But when they find themselves caught in a robbery gone bad and on the hook for a debt they can't repay, both men have to make the dangerous choice between loyalty and survival. 

MOVIE REVIEW:

The Drop like it’s central character Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) is a slow-paced crime drama written by Dennis Lehane who is known for his Mystic River and Shutter Island.  

Besides Hardy, there’s the late James Gandolfini and a canine. Yes you read that right, a pooch which formed a crucial part of the story and the very reason why Lehane’s original short story is called Animal Rescue.

Bob Saginowski is the ordinary-looking, harmless bartender at Cousin Marv’s, the local neighbourhood pub and together with his cousin Marv (Gandolfini), the duo runs the pub but also operates a drop service for illegal takings. But when Bob picked up an injured dog and after a robbery at the pub, Bob finds himself busy dealing against a threatening small-time crook and protecting his potential love interest, Nadia (Noomi Rapace).

Unlike the typical crime thrillers where characters spout endless vulgarities, involved themselves in bloody gun fights and grisly violence, The Drop is just borderline disturbingly dark unless you include a severed hand in a plastic bag. It’s never loud or sensational in the entire movie duration, trust me the dog never even bark once. It’s a movie that featured mainly moody atmosphere and layered rich performances.

Hardy being Irish is incredibly convincing as the man with a past in the dubious Brooklyn setting. There’s nary a flashback but you can sense in Bob’s eyes that he is a terribly lonely soul with a checkered history awaiting to show his true colors when provoked. Gandolfini as usual is perfect, as the mobster whose glory days have long gone. It’s not a terribly flashy big role but for a guy who got the world’s attention playing a mafia boss, this is a fitting farewell to the actor who passed away shortly after filming has completed.

A character driven crime story that have lonely souls as the main characters, The Drop unlike previous adapted works by Lehane scored mainly because of the actors, those with limited amount of patience should wisely opt out. 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

It’s a slow listen but if you keen on more making of information about the movie, tune in to the Audio Commentary by Director Michaël R. Roskam and Writer Dennis Lehane.

Keeping It Real and Making of The Drop are brief segments that contains behind the scenes footages and interviews with the crew and cast.

Making Brooklyn Your Own takes a look at the set and production design.

Rocco the Dog gets his own featurette so we can see how cute he is off camera.

Character Profile: James Gandolfini is a short tribute piece on the late actor.

The DVD also has a Gallery and Theatrical Trailer. 

AUDIO/VISUAL:

While The Drop is a dark, moody movie, it doesn’t really affect the visual transfer which looks detailed and amazing. Dialogue which formed a major part of the movie is fine and so are the occasional ambient effects. 

MOVIE RATING:

DVD RATING :

Review by Linus Tee