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Caught Stealing – Review
Caught Stealing – Budget of $40 million – 1 hour and 47 minutes
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Bartender Hank closes the bar and meets his lady friend, Yvonne. They make out in his hallway when a neighbor, Mrs. Kitty, asks them to get a room. Hank runs into his neighbor, Russ. Russ learned that his father had a stroke, and now he has to fly to London to be at his bedside. He asks Hank to care for his cat, Buddy. Hank wants to say no, but Yvonne encourages him to say yes. Later, Yvonne gathers the litter box and brings it into Hank’s bathroom. They spend the night together.
After closing the bar, Hank comes home to see two men, Aleksei and Pavel, knocking on Russ’s door. They ask Hank for Russ’s location, but he refuses to give it to them. So, they beat him. Hank wakes with Yvonne at his side. They ruptured his kidney, so a doctor had to remove it. Hank doesn’t want a large hospital bill, so he removes his IVs and demands to leave. Paramedic Yvonne warns Hank that he can’t drink again. Curious, Hank enters Russ’s apartment to search it. He escapes when the mobsters return. Hank sneaks out the window, uses the fire escape to enter his apartment, and watches the men from his peephole. Hank calls the police.
Detective Elise Roman interviews Hank about the intruders. She informs Hank that Russ is a drug dealer, working for some hardcore criminals. Elise says the Russians are dangerous, but Hasidic gangsters, Lipa and Shmully, are monsters. She gives him a number in case Hank sees the mobster and gangsters again. Also, Elise wants to know if he remembers anything else. Hank takes the information, and Elise leaves. Hank enters his bathroom and notices something strange in the litter box. One poop is fake and hides a key. Hank calls Roman but fears for his safety when he sees Lipa and Shmully at Russ’s door through the peephole. Hank runs to his job with the key in hand. His boss, Paul, convinces Hank to drink. Hank gets drunk and returns home. He pukes on the exterior door, takes off his clothes, and enters his apartment.
Inside, Aleksei and Pavel are waiting for him with mobster Colorado. They want the key and torture Hank for it. Hank tells them it’s in the litter box, but it’s missing. Hank remembers he took it to the bar. They demand that he obtain the key and not call the cops. If Hank doesn’t find the key, they vow to kill him and everyone he loves.
Based on Caught Stealing by Charlie Huston, this film is action-packed and surprisingly witty (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). However, it’s not mindless killing. The storytelling is interconnected and intelligent. Every object, character, and monologue has a deeper meaning and merges into the conclusion. The director didn’t choose fancy angles to narrate the story. Instead, they used New York and baseball as the backdrop. The natural light and languages make the tale feel authentic. The audience must remember this is 1998, so ring cameras and other modern technology weren’t available. Although you briefly meet the characters, you feel like you know them. This familiarity is a mark of a well-written script. This film is for you if you enjoy crime comedies with an enigma.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
You never know what will pop loose – Elise
We’re here to talk to the guy – Colorado
That’s not good – Hank
Do it after – Yvonne
Is that why they kicked you out of Hollywood – Russ
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Relay – Review
Relay – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 52 minutes
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Ash watches his client, Hoffman, sit nervously at a diner. Hoffman hands documents to the CEO, takes a picture with him, and exits the restaurant. Ash follows Hoffman through the city and watches him board the train. Ash retreats to his lair, stashes a copy of the documents in his safe, and burns envelopes meant for the press. He attends his AA meeting and listens to new messages from potential clients.
Whistleblower Sarah meets with a lawyer. She discovered that her employer, Cybo Sementis, did not disclose the harmful side effects of the new food additive. She received the incriminating document in an email and brought it to her superior’s attention. They moved her to another branch of the company and fired her for a minor infraction. When they discovered she had a copy of the email and its contents, the company sent goons to harass her. The lawyer alerts Sarah to legal routes she can take under whistleblower protection laws. However, she wants to return the documents to stop the harassment. The lawyer informs her about a service that deals with this sensitive matter. He gives her a number and tells her to leave a message. If they choose her case, they will call back. However, she will never see the person’s face or hear their voice.
Sarah arrives at a safe house, calls the number, and leaves a message. She gets a call from the Tri-State Relay. They inform Sarah that they are a service for people with hearing impairments who want to make a phone call. The calls aren’t recorded and are confidential. She agrees to take the call. Ash accepts her case, but she must follow his directions without question. Any failure on her part will void their deal. She will be a lamb to the slaughter. Sarah agrees, and Ash puts his plan into motion. However, Cybo Sementics won’t bow down without a fight.
This movie is a battle of wits with low-tech solutions. Ash doesn’t use a hacker or a crew to flush out Sarah’s harassers. Instead, he uses the relay service, the post office, and cunning to stay one step ahead. During the opening sequence, you never hear Ash speak. Ash feels like a mythical character. However, it’s not for good. It’s for cash. He locks a spare document in his hideaway for insurance. This paperwork contains secrets that are harmful to the community. They should tell others. This movie waits for the height of the climax to stun you. It’s a long-forgotten plot point that knocks you out of your seat. The slick presentation pacifies you into a sense of relaxation, so you don’t see what the writer is preparing. This moral dilemma is a highly entertaining and captivating spy thriller.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Who said I listen to The Who – Ash
I followed a recommendation – Sarah
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