“Softly” is a straightforward yet subtle spin on the crime genre, adapted from the 1974 novel “Cogan’s Trade” by George V. Higgins. While the film’s premise mainly focuses on Jackie Cogan’s (Brad Pitt) investigation of the robbery of a mob’s underground poker ring, its political undertones draw parallels to the 2008 American financial collapse.
The majority of the film occurs in bars, cars, and hotel rooms, with engaging one–on–one dialogue. It’s these scenes that craftily display Cogan’s intelligence and send the robbers scrambling once their misdeeds catch up to them.
The supporting cast is strong, which includes James Gandolfini as an over-the-top acquaintance of Cogan’s summoned to assist in cleaning up the resulting disorder.
Eventually, after watching the characters deliberate over the operation, viewers will realize it’s the survival of the fittest in this capitalist society.
Directed by: Andrew Dominik
Starring: Brad Pitt, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta
4/5 stars
