Movie Title: The Drop
Director: Michaël R. Roskam
Writer: Dennis Lehane (based on his short story "Animal Rescue")
Starring: Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini, Matthias Schoenaerts, John Ortiz, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Michael Aronov, Morgan Spector, Michael Esper, Ross Bickell, James Frecheville, Tobias Segal, Patricia Squire, Ann Dowd
Review: When their "Drop Bar" gets robbed, Bob (Tom Hardy) and Cousin Marv (James Gandolfini) find themselves in big trouble with the mob, the police, the past, and their loyalty for one another.
The Drop began as a short story from author Dennis Lehane (Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River, Shutter Island). Here he's expanded this dark, bitter tale with a dynamite screenplay that is one of the most tense, slow-burn character drama that has some of the best screen performances in the past decade.
Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini, Matthias Schoenaerts, and John Ortiz are all fantastic here. I could watch Tom Hardy and James Gandolfini do just about anything, drink coffee, read the phonebook, and would be amazed by just how remarkably they did it. Hardy and Gandolfini should have won countless awards for their portrayal of two deeply flawed men who have been closed off from and have avoided the ever-changing outside world. The bittersweet aspect here is that this was James Gandolfini's last film. He died shortly after the production wrapped. The film was dedicated to him in the closing credits.
The Drop is a riveting crime drama that is incredibly tense. You're not sure where it's going, but when you're introduced to the players and the world of this movie, you know it can't be good. I can't recommend this one enough. It's a must-see! Tom Hardy, James Gandolfini, and Lehane's script are perfect in every way.
Fun Fact: Saint Rocco, whose statue in the church gives Bob the inspiration for his puppy's name, is a 14th century Italian Saint and is the patron saint of dogs. Part of the legend surrounding this Saint is of a dog who brought him food while he lay sick with the plague.