As a millennial who grew up with Joseph Gordon-Levitt gracing my screens, it’s a delight to see him back in action in the quirky and crime-ridden thriller, “Greedy People.” The film seems to be a departure from his more serious roles in Christopher Nolan’s masterpieces, but let me tell you, Terry, our anti-hero here, is a character that will make you cringe, chuckle, and squirm in your seat.
It appears that hillbilly-themed movies are experiencing a resurgence recently. Two standout films this year have captured that atmosphere: the exceptional “LaRoy, Texas” and the impressive ensemble piece “The Last Stop in Yuma County.” The upcoming Lionsgate film, “Greedy People,” may be labeled its own version of Southern film noir due to its exaggerated elements, as it seems to pull at the narrative in various directions.
Get ready for an intricate mix of various elements in Potsy Ponciroli’s new film, penned by Mike Vukadinovich. You’ll encounter swift, almost unnoticeable appearances and then sudden, heavy scenes brimming with emotional depth that might seem jarring next to the classic Coen brothers-style humor and suspense. Some viewers might find this blend of comedy and drama reminiscent of other films, but as Russell Crowe famously stated, “so you’ve had your entertainment?”
If the Coen brothers have disbanded permanently, then their cinematic offspring will need to step up. Fortunately, this Lionsgate production boasts a highly skilled cast, with one member who has previously shone in several of the Coen brothers’ finest works. Tim Blake Nelson, we’re looking at you! However, his character in Greedy People seems underutilized, suggesting there could be more to explore. Some aspects work well; others, not as much.
The Thrills Take Time to Arrive
Initially, it seems that the self-centered individuals might have made a stronger impact at the start. However, in this case, we find the police chief hidden in her child’s room, skillfully portrayed by Emmy winner Uzo Aduba. Yet, this part is relatively small and resembles her previous detective role – a more compelling one – from the Netflix miniseries Painkiller.
The thrills do ultimately arrive in Greedy People, and the fact that we don’t see the film’s title revealed in giant block letters until a whopping 23 minutes into the feature is telling enough that things take a hot minute to get going. You’d think Aduba’s presence, plus co-stars Himesh Patel and Lily James soon arriving, would be enough to jump-start the narrative. Patel portrays the troubled protagonist Will, a rookie cop new to a sleepy island town which certainly doesn’t seem to see much action. And hey, that’s a good thing for the community, of course.
Patel masterfully portrays the bumbling officer, winning over audiences instantly since his debut; he’s been universally appealing throughout all his performances, including the beloved series Yesterday. However, despite being a leading character, there seems to be some constraint for the British actor in this role. The same can be said about Aduba’s part, although her attempts at commanding her underdog agents when things go south are compelling, particularly during Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s entrance as the seasoned cop Terry, who takes control with ease in his role.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Is Great: Let Him Do His Thing
If you were among those millennials who cheered for young Joseph in Disney’s “Angels in the Outfield,” it’s amusing to see him still stealing the limelight in similar productions, designed for mainstream audiences – even though they differ greatly in their themes.
After his notable collaborations with Christopher Nolan in the films “Inception” and “The Dark Knight Rises”, Joseph Gordon-Levitt appeared to stay out of the spotlight. However, his latest release, “Greedy People”, sees him taking a more aggressive role as Terry, whose moral compass appears to be malfunctioning, at least according to Patel’s character Will, who is tasked with partnering with Terry. Will, still learning police jargon, unfortunately finds himself in a high-risk situation during a home invasion rescue that ends fatally, and he and Terry find themselves unwittingly in possession of a large sum of secret money.
You Decide: Who’s the Greediest?
Newcomers with vibrant personas unexpectedly join the action, creating opportunities for experienced actors such as Tim Blake Nelson and Simon Rex from “Red Rocket” (who also stars in this week’s release, “Blink Twice”) to seize the spotlight as questionable townsfolk who might have a stake in the enigmatic money due to their hidden connections to its original owner. It’s worth noting that it was actually rookie officer Will who landed them in this crime-ridden predicament, not Terry, who often skirts the law and misuses his authority as a peace officer.
We observe Terry engaging in clandestine affairs with a married woman, manipulating coffee shops for free coffees, making offensive comments about people’s disabilities both to bystanders and colleagues without a thought. The actions pile up. However, the situation has escalated significantly now as Terry, along with Will, are responsible for shedding blood and amassing a substantial amount of money.
Will can’t help but spill some of the disparaging news to his ever-so-pregnant wife (Lily James), who in effect can’t look at the horrid sight that is Terry without virtually vomiting in her mouth. That leads her to enlist a quirky (yes, this is Coen-esque noir, so he has to be quirky) hitman to try and eliminate Terry, and he’s played to deadpan perfection by the iconic Jim Gaffigan.
Deliciously Entertaining, if Derivative
Beyond these tasty minor roles, director Ponciroli adds a touch of class, structuring the film as humorous segments that focus on each captivating character individually.
The chapter begins with a quote reminiscent of Yorgos Lanthimos’ acclaimed film, “The Favourite”. While some elements may seem imitative, the combined acting prowess creates an enthralling, crime-filled rollercoaster. Despite its simplicity, this ‘hillbilly noir’ maintains a gripping storyline within a concise two-hour span. Why not give it a try?
From Lionsgate,
Greedy People
hits theaters Aug. 23, 2024.
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2024-08-24 02:04