Review: Caught Stealing

Image courtesy of Columbia Pictures.

Darren Aronofsky's "Caught Stealing" may be a minor entry into the director's oeuvre, but it's an enjoyably slick and fast paced thriller boasting a memorable cast of supporting characters. The picture reminded me a little of Walter Hill's 1979 cult classic "The Warriors" in that both films feature a character or characters - in the former a gang, in the latter a bartender caught up in a wild game of circumstance - trying to stay alive while a motley crew of criminals pursues them/him. Hill's film was set over the course of a single night, while Aronofsky's takes place over a few days.

Fans of "The Warriors" might recall the baseball-attired gang members. In this case, they'll have to settle for bartender Hank's love of the San Francisco Giants and gradually revealed backstory involving his near-miss at becoming a professional baseball player. 

The film is set in 1998 - and the soundtrack at Hank's bar is populated with Meredith Brooks, Semisonic, and Smash Mouth - in New York City. Hank has a promising relationship with a young woman named Yvonne (Zoe Kravitz) and a close relationship with his mother over long-distance telephone calls that typically end with "I love you, go Giants." At the film's end, there's a surprising cameo for this character.

Hank's somewhat sketchy neighbor, Russ (Matt Smith), who dresses like a member of the punk scene from the era in which "The Warriors" was set, asks him to watch over his cat while he attends his father's funeral in England. 

A twist of fate finds a series of dangerous characters coming to look for Russ - and when they don't find him, they inflict violence on poor Hank. These include a Puerto Rican gangster (Bad Bunny), some Russian thugs, and a pair of psychotic Hasidic Jews (Liev Schreiber and an unrecognizable Vincent D'Onofrio).

Hank enlists the help of a cop (Regina King) to assist in the situation and I won't say more to prevent from giving away any spoilers. From there, Hank is essentially on the run as he tries to outwit the various criminals who are pursuing him. There are a number of solid action sequences - including a car chase and a foot chase through a building that ends in a fist fight.

That being said, this is a minor Aronofsky film. The director's best films are dark and brooding psychological dramas that border on horror - such as "Black Swan," "Requiem for a Dream," and "Mother!" Some of his other films are interesting and well-made swings that don't always connect - "The Fountain" and "Noah" - but are still worth a look. His latest, while good, is the director's most straightforward and simplistic. It's nothing more and nothing less than an enjoyable and fast paced crime thriller. Those seeking a piece of solid escapism would probably consider the picture a few hours well spent.