Emily the Criminal – Review
93 Minutes, Rated R
Written and Directed by John Patton Ford
**NOTE: Read Mark’s review below, then you can read Ryan’s review HERE, then listen as they discuss the movie in this week’s episode along with Bodies Bodies Bodies and Fall.**
Synopsis:
Down on her luck and saddled with debt, Emily gets involved in a credit card scam that pulls her into the criminal underworld of Los Angeles, ultimately leading to deadly consequences.
Aubrey Plaza has a cult following. People either seem to like her or hate her.
I did enjoy her in Safety Not Guaranteed, but that movie was so good on so many levels that it’s hard, in retrospect, to remember how much of that was her.
As I have never watched a single episode of Parks & Rec, I can’t comment on whether that bit of love is deserved or not, but after all the praise thrown her way for the recent Black Bear, I thought sure that I would finally see something special when I watched it earlier this year.
I was disappointed. I didn’t think Black Bear was bad, but I just didn’t see what all the fuss was about.
I was intrigued by Emily the Criminal, though, as the teaser was just vague enough to make me want more.
For the film itself, I may find myself a bit of an outlier among certain critics, but I really enjoyed it quite a bit. It’s a stripped-down narrative, free from fluff, and shot in a gritty style. There is nothing “pretty” about the images here.
Theo Rossi is really impressive here. A very nuanced performance: ambitious, pragmatic, generous, vulnerable. It really shows what he can do.
But the big takeaway for me is that this is the Aubrey Plaza performance I was told I was going to get in Black Bear. The weirdest comparison I can make right now (and it’s a rough one, so bear with me) is a kind of non-hyper-violent (for a while) parallel to Travis Bickle’s anti-social descent in Taxi Driver. Complete disillusionment with society, but taken in a different direction.
Impressive as hell.
Director John Patton Ford makes the most of his script and gets his actors to exactly where he needs them to be, when they need to be there, how they need to be.
I recommend Emily the Criminal without hesitation. It’s got a some very fine performances in a tightly wound story. it’s one of my favorites so far this year.
Emily the Criminal hits theaters on August 12 and stars Aubrey Plaza, Theo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke, and Gina Gershon.
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tags: movies, movie review, Emily the Criminal, Aubrey Plaza, Theo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Gina Gershon, john patton ford, crime, drama,low spark, roadside entertainment