November 29, 2012 | 9:12 pm

Review: ‘Killing Them Softly’

Posted by Joan Alperin-Schwartz

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'Killing Them Softly' is a quirky, black comedy about angst ridden hit men dealing with the economic meltdown of 2008.

Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt) is a very laid back guy.  He likes to chat with people...He's very friendly and...he's a hitman...But Jackie can only kill people that he's never met and...he can't kill them up close...Only from a distance.  Doesn't like to hear his victims beg for mercy.  Jackie says he likes to...'kill them softly'.

So when a mob protected poker game is robbed, Jackie is sent in by Richard Jenkins aka The Driver, to restore order.

The mastermind behind the robbery is actually a dry cleaner named...The Squirrel (Vincent Curatola) He hires two airheads, Frankie (Scoot McNary) and Russell (Ben Mendelsohn) to the job.  Squirrel is convinced that Markie (Ray Liotta) who runs the game, will be blamed for the heist.

Seems years ago, Markie, not only robbed his own game, but was stupid enough to brag about it.

Jackie hires Mickey (James Gandolfini) for the job.  Poor, poor Mickey.  This is one  unhappy hitman.  He's addicted to booze, hookers, and super hung up on his ex wife. . 

If that's not bad enough, Mickey got busted on a weapons charge and is out on bail.  Only problem is, he missed his court date to do this job for Jackie, and now, he's a wanted man.

'Killing Them Softly', written and directed by Andrew Dominik (;The Assassination of Jessie James') is based on a 1974 crime novel, 'Cogan's Trade' written by George V Higgins.

It's been updated to 2008 and the TV news plays in the background throughout the film, giving us the voices of Bush, McCaine and Obama.

All the hitman in the film are miserable and are constantly complaining about everything, which in a way, makes them all the more human. Whether you like them or not, these guys will definitely entertain you.

Pitt and Gandolfini are outstanding and the scenes they have to together, are the best in the film.

I gave 'Killing Them Softly' which opens in theatres, Friday November 30, 2012...31/2 bagels out of 5.  John had a different take on the film.

Check out our video for more of our thoughts and his bagel rating.

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