The Little Things
Three Oscar-winners square off in a disquieting throwback to 90s’ psychological crime drama.
Brothers in law: Denzel Washington and Rami Malek
Having
directed only eight films in three decades, John Lee Hancock leaves behind
‘true-life’ tales – such as the supercalifragilistic Saving Mr. Banks and the meaty biopic The Founder – for a new work of 90s neo-noir nostalgia. Returning
to a script written nearly thirty years prior, Hancock finally brings the long
gestating project to the screen in the capable hands of Denzel Washington, Rami
Malek and Jared Leto. And look out for Leto, who recently landed Golden Globe
and Screen Actors Guild best supporting actor nominations for his unsettling, helter
skelter performance. Like a long-lost member of the Manson family, Leto’s
Albert Sparma is the shudder-inducing adherent that grafts the events of
Hancock’s The Little Things.
When deputy
sheriff Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington) returns to his former stomping grounds
to collect a piece of evidence, he meets the young rookie detective (Rami
Malek) who took his place. Deacon tags along on a murder investigation bearing
similarities to a haunting unsolved case from his past. When a second murder
follows the same pattern, Deacon remains in town and begins an investigation of
his own, eventually leading him to the eerie Albert Sparma (Jared Leto). When
the FBI are called in to take over, veteran and rookie team up against the
clock to pin down their perpetrator.
Although The Little Things retains the engaging
feeling of a throwback thriller for the first and second act, it’s the
deviation from that formula that both sets the film apart and leads to
disappointment. While the shift is an interesting flip on the genre, the film
doesn’t devote enough time to the consequences. Current conversations
surrounding law enforcement could have informed a much richer conclusion. The
toll taken by investigative police work, as well as actions taken outside of
the law, are presented, but never reach deep enough to make a lasting impact.
Washington and Malek make a compelling buddy cop team. Indeed, the performances
are solid across the board, including Michael Hyatt and Natalie Morales, who
simply don’t have enough to do. The score is identifiably Newman, who adds
ominous tones to the proceedings. Watch for an homage to the late actor Brandon
Lee, a friend of Hancock’s, who after reading the script said, “I have to be in
this movie”. Thirty years later, Hancock makes good on his promise to put a
word in with the director.
CHAD KENNERK
Cast: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek,
Jared Leto, Chris Bauer, Michael Hyatt, Terry Kinney, Natalie Morales, Isabel
Arraiza, Joris Jarsky, Glenn Morshower, Sofia Vassilieva, Judith Scott, Jeff
Corbett, Lee Garlington.
Dir John Lee Hancock, Pro Mark Johnson and John Lee Hancock, Screenplay John Lee Hancock, Ph John Schwartzman, Pro Des Michael Corenblith, Ed Robert Frazen, Music Thomas Newman, Costumes
Daniel Orlandi.
Gran Via Productions-Warner Bros.
128 mins. USA. 2021. US Rel: 29 January 2021. Cert. 15.