When you think Aronofsky films it’s usually a Darren-Downer gloom and doom-fest (Black Swan, The Wrestler, The Whale.) But in Caught Stealing, the Director and Austin Butler deliver laughs while they pilfer your heart in spite of a considerable dose of violent action, pain and death.
This comedy crime escapade, placed in 1990’s New York, revolves around one-time high school baseball phenom, Hank Thompson (Butler) whose playing days tragically ended. No the doe-eyed Hank tends bar and hangs around with his love, Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz). Their on-screen affection is playfully fun to watch.
When Hank’s punk rock, mohawk festooned, British neighbor Russ (Matt Smith) implores him to watch his cat, he suddenly finds himself in the crosshairs of an army of vicious cold-blooded gangsters. Smith is splendidly funny in his every scene, but the money and drugs in play are beyond imagination and so is the growing body count. The time period, action sequences and comedy interspersed with torture and death are all aTarantino derivative reminiscent of True Romance.
The real scene stealer in the film is Bud the Cat with his scrunched up face and easy-going demeanor. Bud (actual name Tonic) becomes Hank’s partner and confidante. Aronofsky liked working with the feline, he says he wants to work with him again.
The McGuffin or key to the untold riches the gangsters are after, is an actual key. Seems the whole Underworld is after Hank, including Puerto Ricans, Russians, NYPD corrupt cops and even Hasidic mobsters, referred to as “The Hebrews.”
The Yiddish speaking Hasidic mobsters turn out to be the most fearful and most developed in Charlie Huston’s script. Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio rule the streets without mercy. But they always make sure to be home for matzoh ball soup at Sabbath dinner with Bubbe (Carol Kane). Kane is authentic as can be as the old-school grandma.
The trail leading to the money leaves a large trail of dead bodies, including most of Hank’s friends with harrowing scenes of Hank enduring unbelievable torture and pain. Butler plays Hank’s backstory of the damaged ball-player who lives with guilt and a devotion to his mother with endearing tenderness. It’s an effective counterpoint to the vicious agony he endures in this film.
With action virtuoso cinematographer Matthew Libatique capturing the mayhem and Austin Butler providing the emotional center, this is Aronofsky’s best piece of entertainment yet. For a fast moving, brutally wicked comedy with multi-twists, you should nab Caught Stealing.
Columbia Pictures 1 Hour 47 Minutes R
