The Drop
Michael Harris
Producer/director of Hawaii News Now
Where and with whom did you see the movie?
I saw The Drop with my partner Brandon Botanes at Consolidated’s Ward 16 complex.
Overall, what did you think?
I thought that The Drop would be good, but it exceeded my expectations and turned out to be really gripping, and kept me dialed in with its slow-building tension and amazing character development.
Without giving away the ending, what was one of your favorite scenes?
This was James Gandolfini’s last movie. He’s amazing in the way that he can play such a gritty, callous and mean-spirited jerk. In one scene, Bob (played by Tom Hardy) is Saran-wrapping up a severed limb to be thrown into the East River. Bob and Marv (Gandolfini) very calmly and sarcastically discuss their dilemma: “Would you please pass me that sports bag right above your head?” “It would be my pleasure.” The dialogue is dry, very Brooklyn, and yet ominous, too.
On a scale of one to four stars, what would you rate this film?
★★★ 1/2 This is not a big-budget, full of special effects epic. It’s based on a great screenplay and fine acting. I very much appreciated Tom Hardy’s (an English actor) ability to pull off such a different character than the one he played in Batman, as Bane. And in the end, it is his talented portrayal of Bob that leads to a great, unexpected ending.
What did you think of the cinematography?
The cinematography was skillful and intelligent. The use of the out-of-focus transitions added to the mystery and, like the movie, kept you guessing what was going to happen next.
Was the message/theme clear?
The message and theme were not clear, and that is what made the movie so compelling. It wasn’t until the end of the movie that it all came together, and it was a great surprise!
Did it remind you of any other works of film?
This is a stretch, but I compare it to Forrest Gump, in the sense that the perceived dumbest guy in the movie ends up being the smartest.
To whom would you recommend this movie?
People who like great acting and a script that is not dependent on pyrotechnics or special effects will like The Drop. You’ll walk away feeling very satisfied.
Did any of the actors stand out?
Tom Hardy steals the show, but James Gandolfini shows that he’s a great actor in his final movie. He plays a frustrated, almost desperate has-been, which translates into an older punk. He’s not very likable, but Gandolfini plays the part perfectly.
Did the soundtrack contribute significantly to the film?
The soundtrack was subtle but very effective in driving the building tension that rises throughout the movie. It never dominated the scenes but accentuated them very well.
Would you buy this movie when it comes out on DVD?
There are very few movies that I would purchase and have to watch over and over again. But down the line, I’d love to see this film again. I’m sure I’d pick up even more the second time.
What’s your favorite movie snack?
We love popcorn, and we get a small cup of jalapeno peppers to eat along with it.
On a different note, what’s new with you?
Everyone, thanks for tuning into Sunrise. The fun that you see in front of the camera is going on behind the scenes, too. It’s a wonderful crew all around and we love the loyal audience that we’ve garnered. Mahalo for watching! Also, I have a Na Mele coming up with Natalie A’i Kamau’u that promises to be awesome on PBS Hawaii.
