Tag Archives: Debra Messing

Thirsty Americans, Crooked Cops & Politicians

The Alto Knights

by Hope Madden

What Barry Levinson, working from a script by Goodfellas and Casino writer Nicholas Pileggi, has done is made a historical recap of a true American gangster tale enlivened by the gimmick of two De Niros. Because, obviously, one sure way to draw attention to your gangster picture is to cast Robert De Niro. Casting him twice? Ba da bing!

De Niro plays the aging version of two childhood buddies, Vito Genovese and Frank Costello. Vito’s a loose canon psychopath. Frank’s a smooth operator, a diplomat. And though it was really Vito who was in charge of the five boroughs, it was Frank who brought things together in peace and prosperity while his friend was in exile waiting out a double murder rap.

But now Vito’s back and he wants all he believes he has coming to him, and he lacks the patience to wait on Frank’s charity.

De Niro’s Frank also narrates the story from a place of retired peace, which keeps him on the screen even more (not a bad choice) but leeches any real tension from the adventure. But a shoot-em-up thriller is not what Levinson’s after. His goal is to showcase the machinations and counter moves of two very different criminal minds.

De Niro’s Frank Costello performance is understated, almost affable and he shares a lived-in chemistry with onscreen partner Debra Messing as wife, Bobbie. His Vito is a fun riff on Joe Pesci—less explosive, but stewing with the same idiosyncrasies, insecurities and wise cracks.

The surrounding ensemble (including two actors doing Columbus, Ohio proud—Todd Covert and Brian Spangler) impresses, carving out memorable characters, often with limited and highly populated screen time.

It’s a capably made, solid movie but there’s not much to distinguish it from a lot of other gangster pictures except that  you get two times the star power from the actor who continues to prove he’s America’s greatest onscreen gangster.

Clear History?

Searching

by George Wolf

Much like early 80s music video directors adjusting to the possibilities afforded by the power of MTV, it’s taken current filmmakers some time to craft nuanced statements on the rise of social media.

But then, we’ve yet to see evidence that ZZ Top’s “Legs” swung an election, so clearly, we’re all still adjusting.

Searching is the latest reminder that for social media-themed movies, at least, things are looking up.

In his debut feature, director/co-writer Aneesh Chaganty crafts a smart, fast-moving internet mystery that plays out on the screens of various platforms. Dropping sly clues among its plot twist head fakes, the film becomes a surprisingly satisfying B-movie potboiler, a terrifically tense race against time that reminds us how tech-entrenched we are without resorting to any heavy-handed judgments.

Busy father David Kim (a perfect John Cho) is annoyed when his 15-year-old daughter Margot (Michelle La) won’t answer his texts or face time requests. Annoyance turns to desperation when it becomes clear Margot is a missing person.

Detective Vick (Debra Messing, effectively understated and against type) is on the case, and as David follows her advice to scour Margot’s online history for clues, we learn along with Dad that Margot had secrets.

Right from a nifty opening montage that serves to bond us with the Kim family while it wistfully reminds us how our own connections to technology have grown, Chaganty establishes a commitment to narrative momentum that rarely lets up. Very little time feels wasted because, natch, there’s no time to waste.

The integrity of the “real-time computer screen” device is richly detailed, organically sound and beautifully constructed, drawing a strange contrast in authenticity with the TV news segments covering Margot’s disappearance.

Did Changanty not bother sweating those details, or is it his nod to “old media” being out of step? I’m guessing the latter.

At least one plot twist seems a bit of a reach, and the final reveal stops just south of Scooby Doo inspired explanation, but Searching has brains and heart enough to rise above.

Though Chaganty assembles the film with the latest in frame wizardry, he surrounds it with familiar thriller elements that bring a subtle throwback feel to the astute look at how we live now.

Ultimately, Searching is a mystery with as much to say about parenting as posting, and a remarkably in-the-moment statement.