Did James Gandolfini Deliver In This Final Movie Role? — ‘The Drop’ Review

Before I write even one word of criticism about the The Drop I must start with this: If you’re reading this review sitting in front of your computer, shitfaced, and wearing nothing but a hat then you better take that goddamn hat off and bow your head in a moment of silence for the late, great Mr. James “Tony Soprano” Gandolfini.

Yes, literally take the hat off and bow your fucking head… (moment of silence)… RIP JG we love and miss you.

Now back to The Drop. When I first heard about this movie all I knew was that both Tom Hardy and Tony Soprano were in it and they run a bar in New York. If you’re not following this so far here’s a math equation to help you out. Gandolfini + Hardy + the writer of Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone, and Shutter Island + a crime-ridden bar in NY = a preposterously average-sized boner for Kasey Carollo (That’s me).

As you can see I was jacked-up to go see this and since I finally have, here goes my review. The opening monologue spoken by Tom Hardy completely sets the stage with a bad ass narration explaining everything you need to know going in. Very soon into the movie, Hardy finds an abandoned and beaten pit bull puppy that just might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen (no homo). Around the same time, the bar gets robbed by two of the biggest jackasses on the planet. I hated their characters the fact they were two nobodies who sucked at acting didn’t help. Not that big of a deal because Gandolfini dominated every moment that he was onscreen so he greatly picked up the slack.

Based on me not wanting to give much of the story away, I’m going to be pretty vague about some of the following details — There is a random character, named Eric, who is a total psycho (think Crazy Joe Davola from Seinfeld) that works his way into the plot and there were so many instances in the movie that conversations seemed really awkward and almost unrealistic. I think it had something to do with Hardy’s character because he is such a recluse that he never changes his expression. I mean that almost literally, there is one time when he smiles at something Noomi Rapace says, but it fades quickly and he is back to his expressionless self. Noomi Rapace is a fantastic actress and she crushed her scenes. Again these are little things that I feel obligated to comment on because I am a sopping wet douche, but then again, I’m the one writing the review so I can say whatever the fuck I want.

In conclusion The Drop is a decent movie that is a little too slow for most audiences including myself and it’s one of those movies where it all comes together at the end and you say “Ohhhhhhh now it all makes sense.” I’m not usually a fan of those endings because it makes everything leading up to the last scenes less enjoyable so my final recommendation is not to waste money on a ticket and Redbox the shit out of it when you run out of other, much better, crime movies.

 RATING: 3.25 SOLO CUPS OUT OF 5

 

If You Liked ‘The Drop’…

 

Attention Bros: This is the section where I will recommend movies to see if you loved watching the movie I have just reviewed, regardless of whether or not I liked it. Some are big names and hopefully there will be some you’ve never heard of. So if you liked The Drop then check out:

True Romance (1993) – Classic actors and a healthy dose of violence, much less dark than The Drop but still pretty heavy on illegal activity.

State of Grace (1990) – Bad ass movie and it’s a crime thriller also set in NY starring Sean Penn, Ed Harris and Gary Oldman… You’re welcome