29 Jan The Little Things Review

THE LITTLE THINGS

Written and directed by John Lee Hancock, starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto

Set in 1990 Los Angeles, the film follows two detectives who investigate a string of murders, which lead them to a strange loner who may be the culprit.

Denzel Washington stars as Joe Deacon, small town deputy with an obviously troubled past. Sent to Los Angeles for a quick errand, Joe becomes swept up in a larger story by hotshot young detective Jim Baxter (Malek) as they attempt to track down a string of murders in the area that bring Deacon’s past actions back to light. While having an intriguing concept of a man who struggles with his past attempt to ensure the younger man doesn’t stumble into the same pitfalls, the film spends far too little time on this fact and far too much on endless stakeouts and car tailings. If there’s any sort of message in the story, it’s attempts to convey said message are lost behind lethargic performances, meandering pacing, and lackluster editing.

For a movie that stars three Academy Award winning actors, the acting is one of the weakest parts of the film. Denzel seems to be going through the motions without his usual leading man charm that’s worked so well in the past. Portraying a former detective who’s been haunted by past events, Washington seems dull, even bored at times as he floats through scenes. Rami Malek appears totally miscast in a role that he doesn’t seem to be comfortable in; his stiff, jilted performance clashing with Washington’s listless turn in such a way that the comfortable old trope of young upstart teamed with world-weary novice comes across as shallow and insubstantial. The only actor who appeared to enjoy himself or his material in any way was Jared Leto, who seems to delight in playing offbeat roles that are well suited to his enigmatic personality. Even so, Leto’s glee in playing a potential all-signs-point-to-yes murder suspect isn’t enough to carry the weight of all three actors, or the story.

Written and directed by John Lee Hancock, he chooses to play it safe on both ends. Unfortunately, there isn’t much in The Little Things that separate it from other movies in genre; the generic plot plays out in conventional fashion that, while feeling all too familiar, still pales in comparison to its contemporaries. Hancock seems to be more comfortable paying homage to past crime thrillers than mining the genre for new depths or adding additional layers to well-trod characters. A bland story can at times be bolstered by sharp directing, an eye for flair, and clever editing but the movie has none of these things. As such, Hancock’s storytelling from both a writing and directing perspective lands well short of any intended mark.

Overall, even as it tries to catch viewers off guard with a few last minute twists and surprises, The Little Things doesn’t hold enough weight to enthrall, delight, or revisit. What could’ve been an acting powerhouse of film is instead less than the sum of its parts. Sluggish performances, a tepid by-the-numbers story, and a slow pace make the film a Saturday or Sunday afternoon watch, at best. The finest films in the crime genre have been accompanied by events that are indelible to the audience: the toll booth scene in The Godfather, the shootout in Heat, the tracking shot through the Copacabana in Goodfellas. Unfortunately, no such elements exist in The Little Things. Even with its final flourishes, the film’s distinct lack of staying power after it’s been turned off ensures it will be quickly forgotten. The Little Things can be found on HBO Max.