The Little Things [2021]

The Little Things is a genre movie that is exceptionally well-cast, for better or worse. Despite the participation of three Oscar winners, it offers little that’s fresh or exciting.

Though the cast is top-notch, the script isn’t. I have no idea how John Lee Hancock (Writer and director) managed to get Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto to sign up for this dark crime movie and screw it up at the same time. Didn’t they read the script? The strong performances of the cast aren’t enough to save this disappointing, slow-paced thriller.

There is enormous potential here for a gripping, memorable modern film but everything just feels a bit…average.

What saves the movie is the star. Malek is stuck at surface level, Washington is acting his billionth role as an ex-cop with a hidden past. Yes, he’s great at being a cop, but we’ve seen it before in multiple movies. Nothing to see there.

As far as I’m concerned, Lato’s Albert Sparma is the star of the movie. Yes, he shows up halfway in and instantly steels the spotlight. The director wants you to think that Washington is the star, and he tries hard to keep the focus there, but Lato just steals all the scenes. In fact, for his performance, Leto received two awards nominations for Best Supporting Actor.

Should you watch it?

It’s hard to believe three Oscar winning actors could be involved with something so unsatisfying. The acting is mostly great (wasn’t a fan of Rami Malek in this role), but the script, the directing and the 1990s aesthetic just don’t make it worth the watch. It’s been a while since I’ve watched a film work this hard to be so excruciatingly dull.

Where can I watch it?

You can stream The Little Things on Crave in Canada or rent it on Amazon Prime Video.