Killing Them Softly

Name: Killing Them Softly
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: November 30, 2012
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Ben Mendelsohn, Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins

2012

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 298 Ratings

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6.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 298 Ratings

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Killing Them Softly

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Movie Details & Credits

Weinstein Company, The | Release Date: November 30, 2012 | R

Starring: Ben Mendelsohn, Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins, Sam Shepard, Scoot McNairy

Summary: Adapted from George V. Higgins novel and set in New Orleans, Killing Them Softly follows professional enforcer, Jackie Cogan, who investigates a heist that occurs during a high stakes, mob-protected, poker game. (Weinstein Company)

Director: Andrew Dominik

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 97 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Owen Gleiberman

Nov 28, 2012

Killing them Softly is a lurid and nasty little nihilistic hitman noir, with an ingenuity that sneaks up on you. Read full review

Ty Burr

Nov 29, 2012

A bleakly comic, brutally Darwinian gangland saga that at times comes close to being this year's "Drive." It also does something that, if you're from around these parts, seems downright perverse. It takes the Boston out of George V. Higgins. Read full review

Andrew O'Hehir

Nov 30, 2012

This is a deliberately chilly and nerve-wracking experience, and one of the bleakest portraits of American society seen on-screen in the last several decades. Read full review

Liam Lacey

Nov 29, 2012

A stylish, brutal affair that delivers grim atmosphere and punishing violence but loses impact in telegraphing its political punches. Read full review

Anthony Lane

Nov 26, 2012

What is most disconcerting about Dominik's film is his choice of rhythm. We pass from reams of conversation, or cantankerous monologue, to throes of extreme violence, then back to the flood of words - most of them to do with buying, selling, slaying, whoring, or doing time. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Nov 29, 2012

The film, for all its visual felicities, comes to life only sporadically. Read full review

Rex Reed

Nov 28, 2012

A filthy, pretentious, brutally violent and utterly pointless load of rubbish called Killing Them Softly. Read full review

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User Reviews

RobbinsFilms

Dec 1, 2012

Be warned, Killing Them Softly is an anti-thriller. Instead of gangster action, most of what you see is conversation. Or better yet, negotiation. Because the film is set in 2008 during the financial crisis, what these lowlifes are most desperately chasing, is just a bit more money. So evenBe warned, Killing Them Softly is an anti-thriller. Instead of gangster action, most of what you see is conversation. Or better yet, negotiation. Because the film is set in 2008 during the financial crisis, what these lowlifes are most desperately chasing, is just a bit more money. So even though the dialogue is razor-sharp and the performances are amazing, from an A list cast, most people don't want to watch negotiation for an hour and forty minutes. This is a more European take on the American crime drama, even though Andrew Dominik is Australian. The movie has a lot in common with Drive. And like that movie, this one will divide audiences between those put off by the angry tone, gruesome violence, and long periods of inaction. Which might be a problem if not for the incredible stylistic passion that bursts through every frame. Even when it's just two people talking in a bar, subtle camera movements, musical cues, and acting decisions always keep your attention.… Expand

6 of 10 users found this helpful64

MarkHH

Nov 5, 2013

What it is about people who object to intelligent and interesting dialogue? Most of the people on this forum hated the movie for these very reasons. Anyway, to avoid pedantic remarks, let me just get on with this review and say that this was a surprisingly good film that reaffirms goodWhat it is about people who object to intelligent and interesting dialogue? Most of the people on this forum hated the movie for these very reasons. Anyway, to avoid pedantic remarks, let me just get on with this review and say that this was a surprisingly good film that reaffirms good filmmaking. The closing remarks in the bar by Pitt's character summed it all up rather nicely. Not too many movies are able to do this. The reason this movie failed is that not many people in the audience have a clue as what he was saying and the significance of it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ultralight47

Dec 4, 2012

I'm not sure exactly why but I Iiked "listening" to this movie. It's not Quentin Tarrantino but, the conversations between the characters, and there are many of them, are simple, almost unremarkable, and yet still somehow interesting. The violence that I expected is not that bad compared toI'm not sure exactly why but I Iiked "listening" to this movie. It's not Quentin Tarrantino but, the conversations between the characters, and there are many of them, are simple, almost unremarkable, and yet still somehow interesting. The violence that I expected is not that bad compared to other comparable movies and it is artfully done in some instances. There's not a lot going on; it's basically revenge for a crime committed against criminals. They talk a lot; I liked hearing it.… Expand

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

Apemonkey666

Mar 31, 2013

The plot of this film is a thin as piss on concrete, but the filmmakers wanted to put a subversive (well in the end they push it in your face) message in it: America is a country where every man has to fend for himself, and if the economy is going down the drain they'll just have to fend aThe plot of this film is a thin as piss on concrete, but the filmmakers wanted to put a subversive (well in the end they push it in your face) message in it: America is a country where every man has to fend for himself, and if the economy is going down the drain they'll just have to fend a little harder The events in this movie move along ever so slowly, but they keep your attention focused with the engaging acting. There are many scenes that seemingly serve no purpose, it's more like spending time with the characters. They were smart enough not to stretch it out longer than 97 mins, which is about the right length for this kind of film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

2DudesReviews

May 22, 2013

Despite the masterful performances from Pitt & Gandolfini it misses with its political theme in this dialogue driven, but brutal mob crime drama. -MN

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CBN

Nov 30, 2012

I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone, well I take that back. If you detest all the films your girlfriend/wife/mistress etc make you go see then I suggest this film, cause she'll be miserable after it. But then again, you will be too so.

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

Smee

Jan 27, 2013

worst brad pitt movie ever,No significant story or purpose,empty dialogues and low budget film.Lucky i file shared this.Even a kid can write a better script than this.This type of movies should never made in future.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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55	#55 Most Discussed Movie of 2012
89	#89 Most Shared Movie of 2012