Killing Them Softly (2012) - He Does More Than That.

★★★★☆

Killing them softly is in fact not quite accurate to describe the way Jackie (Brat Pitt) does his job. It’s more like, theatrically speaking, killing them slowly and elegantly. One of the killing scenes in the film does demonstrate how the beauty of violence is supposed to be like on the big screen though you know violence is nothing beautiful in reality. Here we have Brat Pitt as a cold-blooded hitman. The way he talks is cynical and intimidating but sometimes humorous. The way he executes is calm and stylish. If you’re fond of charismatic figures like that and Neo-noir films, this is the one you shouldn’t miss.

The whole plot is, to be honest, nothing special, but the way it reveals is certainly entertaining and atmospheric. You get more and more engaged as the story goes on. Political speeches by Bush and Obama are throughout the film despite the fact that it’s nothing of a political drama. They play, however, like an interesting, sarcastic backdrop as Jackie finally responds to Obama’s ‘we are one’ by saying, ‘that’s a myth. In America, you’re on your own. America is not a country. It’s just a business.’ Well, that’s offensive, but pretty true!

There’s a scene where Jackie, when crossing the street to meet one of his targets, hears gunshots but he seems so aloof without having to feel shocked or bothered at all. It reminds me of school shooting tragedies constantly happening in America. As President Obama plans to call for stricter gun control measures, people are worried about losing some of their freedom. I guess they ought to realize that if one’s sort of freedom is to sacrifice others’ lives, he might as well give that up. That a real sense of freedom should be like, instead of getting to do what you want, not getting to do what you want, and you still feel all right with it.