"Widows," directed by Steve McQueen with an all-star cast, isn't just a heist movie and that's what makes it so good. The move opens with Harry Rawlings (Liam Neeson), a career thief, and his crew running afoul of their latest job. But the movie isn't about Harry and his three compatriots. It's about the four women they leave behind. Played by Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki and Carrie Coon, this is a conventional heist film buried under layers of intricate plot twists and social commentary. Three of the four widows, Harry's wife, Veronica (Davis), Linda (Rodriguez) and Alice (Debicki), are left financially strapped once bereft of their husbands' ill-gotten incomes. For Veronica, it's worse. Harry's latest victim, gangster-turned-politician Jamal Manning (Brian Tyree Henry), expects Veronica to provide $2 million in restitution or he'll let loose his sociopath brother, Jatemme (Daniel Kaluuya), to extract payment in flesh. She has Harry's notebook, however, with the plans for his next job so she recruits those left behind to help her pull it off. The all-female crime team adds a fourth member, Belle (Cynthia Erivo), as their driver.
Each woman has a focus. In addition to facing a threat to her life, Veronica must deal with unsavory revelations about her husband. She's a serious person who rarely cracks a smile and, despite her seemingly confident air, she knows she's in over her head. Meanwhile, Linda must cope with caring for two young children after her shop is sold out from under her to pay for her late husband's gambling debts. And Alice dabbles in high end prostitution (as a 'sugar baby') to make a living. All of this plays out against the backdrop of a Chicago alderman's race that pits Jamal against Jack Mulligan (Colin Farrell), the son of longtime powerbroker, Tom (Robert Duvall). These two engage in the dirtiest of politics, manipulating people for personal gain.
The acting is strong across the board. At the top is Viola Davis, who has never given a bad performance and may again garner Oscar attention for infusing Veronica with determination in the face of seemingly crushing circumstances. Michelle Rodriguez and Elizabeth Debicki, although in supporting roles, are given moments to shine. Colin Farrell uses his natural charm and good looks to hide a morally bankrupt character. Veterans Robert Duval and Liam Neeson leave strong impressions in limited roles and Daniel Kaluuya demonstrates his range, playing a really scary guy. "Widows" delivers: it's satisfying and offers more than one normally expects from a seemingly simple premise of a heist.
No comments:
Post a Comment