The Little Things

The Little Things is an average buddy-detective flick with not entirely appropriate music by Thomas Newman and a detective who acts like an idiot in the climax. Washington and Malek are otherwise quite good together, the film isn’t boring and keeps you waiting for the thriller build-up and key plot twist, but in the end it is not in any way surprising. It’s worth seeing for Jared Leto’s bizarre, unsettling psycho character, which deserved a better screenplay. (30.01.2021)

As is customary here at FilmBooster, a film that goes against the grain, is idiosyncratic and goes against audience expectations is brutally underrated. Not that it surprises me, really. This is an atmospheric treat with Thomas Newman's uncharacteristic, congenial score that fits right in with the slow-paced story, whose screenplay is cleverer than it might initially seem thanks to the unraveling of the mystery of Joe Deacon's character and the ambivalent climax. And Jared Leto, who at other times is not one of my favourites with his mannerisms, is a class act here. (10.02.2021)

The Little Things is very well put together. When they reveal the cards at the end and we can see the concept as a whole, what the creators actually wanted to do, it looks like a very good idea. It’s a pity that the film never goes deeper and we don’t get to experience the search for the murderer of young girls together with the detective. If the viewer had been more emotionally invested, the resolution would have been like a slap in the face and The Little Things could have become a new thriller classic. The way it is, though, I can appreciate it rationally, but there wasn’t any real enjoyment. (30.01.2021)

A very underrated old-school thriller about the hunt for a serial killer, played by the excellently sleazy Jared Leto, who is pursued by Denzel Washington, playing his typical great role, and helped by a solid Rami Malek. The film unfolds at a slower pace, but surprisingly never bores, as there are three excellent actors on the scene who can hold your attention. I liked the dialogues, the atmosphere, the collection of evidence, the visuals, and the story itself with its unexpected final resolution. Those who expected another Se7en will be disappointed, but those who expect a decent, well-acted, and engaging crime film shouldn't complain. I enjoy films about serial killers, and although I would have welcomed the explicit depiction of deaths on camera, it didn't bother me that much this time. Story****, Action>No, Humor>No, Violence**, Entertainment****, Music*** , Visuals****, Atmosphere****, Tension****. 7/10. (31.01.2021)

An average detective story that changes direction quite dramatically after the appearance/disappearance of Jared. The weird system fraudster he plays, whose face beams constantly, even face to face with a cop who is stressed out and short of sleep, is the main plus of the movie. I appreciate the idea approaching things from a different side, but it could easily be shorter and more work should be done on the introduction and character motivation. This way they sometimes look like idiots who do things without any good reason. (13.03.2021)

Another of those dark, slow detective story in the style of Se7en, or Mystic River, that is atmospheric, ingeniously put together and hard to read in its means of expression, going against the audience's expectations. A tense crime drama with fantastic performances by Jared Leto and the odd duo of Denzel Washington and Rami Malek. It's not a particularly good role for former, but he didn't disgrace himself. It's not for a second viewing, but the creative level is solid. (09.05.2021)

Another retro thing that borders weirdness and remarkableness, restrained by a boring script and a weak climax. Yes, it lacks the nice grittiness and filth of the 90s and the characters are almost surprisingly forgettable, but Hancock surprises again when the detective storyline everyone expected turns out to be only a cover for a different and more intimate tale. One that is not very attractive, it’s missing a dense atmosphere and clues that will truly draw you into it, but… That lack of clues ends up being a pretty smart trick and after the reveal I was truly sorry that they didn’t take a more ingenious and formally creative path towards a stronger ending. It’s not a stupid film by any means, and I will gladly go back to it some day, but right now what prevails is the disappointment over the squandered potential of a premise that so boldly interweaves several layers of attention. Despite the clear similarities to Se7en, I’ve no clue what I could compare the ending with, and that’s something I certainly take as a plus. 65% (30.01.2021)