Thanks for the memories!

Powerful

I wanted to but couldn't!

Absolutely Fantastic

I might not have much to say for the story line But that doesn't matterJust watch this movie You will be captivated from the first moment -I am TEMPTED to say these can't be actors it's so real :)Really- it's so well done Forget the story focus on the acting Simply TOPSI've not witnessed a cinematic production as this in a long time again NOT the story But HOW it's presented TOP OF THE LINE HERE the acting is SO good I don't even WANT to know the actors names ONLY for the characters the play Beats ALL of Gene Hackman movies in one single blow Sorry Genewell-actually - no I'm not sorry Gene

Little Odessa, also release under the title "Contract killer" is a very effectively and realistically told mobster movie, from the Russian community. It's a take on the prodigal son, here as a cold contract killer. A great watch for connoisseurs of films, and mobster film in particular.The movie stands out for great acting, directing and photography, being James Gray directorial debut. Music is excellent as well. The actors are making this a great watch. The whole film is stuffed with fabulous acting. Tim Roth and Edward Furlong is both fabulous as the brothers, as Vanessa Redgrave and Maximillian Schell is as the mother and the abusive father. I think this is some of the best I've seen from them all.The film starts up with the contract killer, being the older brother Joshua Shapira coming back to his hometown of Brooklyn after being away for years, to do a contract job. He fled town after committing a killing, which obviously is not forgotten. He meets his younger brother, Reuben, which tells him that their mother is terminally ill with brain tumor. Joshua wants to see the mother, but are not welcomed by the father, being a danger to the whole family since wanted by the mobsters.It's bleak, cold, gritty, effective and what I believe very realistic told. I was immediately sucked into the story, which is following the younger brother more than the older hit-man. it's no action movie, but a mobster movie told in the way we've seen many times. This does not stand back from these. The film builds slowly up to great scenes.It's powerful on emotions, far more than on the action. However the persons are quite cold, and so is the violence. And there isn't much hope to see in the dreary days of this family.The quote "We'll wait 10 seconds and see if God saves you" is said by Tim Roth's character before he does a killing. I would regard this is a must-see for mob film lovers, and a classic in the genre. I would likewise recommend the brilliant and effective "Eastern promises" by David Cronenberg, telling a story from the Russian mafia in Great Britain.

This is a great film, and considering this is a debut for the director, it's even more impressive. And the guy was only 24! What will strike you about this film is the economy of footage and the directorial vision. Gray knows exactly what shots are needed and how long to use them, there is none of this showy, slappy editing or gratuitous shots. Each scene is composed and skillful. You really get the sense that he had every shot meticulously choreographed and planned out before showing up on the set, and further, that this planning was dead-on in its strengthening of the mood and tone of the picture. To illustrate this, there is one scene where Tim Roth shoots someone in broad daylight. Gray handles this scene so that it is jarring without accessorizing or glamorizing the violence. It is quick and sudden. Any number of directors would have shot the hell out of this scene and used a million angles and would have had no idea of how to play the scene in context. And this is a minor scene, a simple scene. The entire film is completely well-thought out and uses this same masterful direction. Gray also knows how to use a camera and where to put them. This film is visually stimulating without going overboard, like the difference between Jimmy Page and Steve Vai: virtuosity and skill does not have to equal genius, god knows what Guy Ritchie would have done to this film, but it sure would've been unwatchable. A director, like any artist, must know how much to include and when to stop, and Gray gets this right.If you have ever liked Ed Furlong or Tim Roth, you will love them in this. They are both allowed room to really deliver emotional, realistic, and moving performances. How do they do this when they've been good and bad in other films? That's right: they were directed properly. Both actors were right for their parts but they were also kept to a very real tone, something that separates a director like Gray from one like Joanou or whoever "directed" that thing Boondock Saints (both films could possibly be described as in the same genre as this one). In summary, this is an amazing debut film with solid performances and gripping story.

This isn't one of the movie you rent, this one you watch on TV because it's just to depressing and un(Hollywood)entertaining to be worth paying for. Plus it's nothing special. Good acting by Roth and Mrs. Redgrave and some cool sex scenes featuring the ever sexy Moira Kelly. Is it just me or is Edward Furlong the victim of his brother's doing again (American History X). And he wasn't bothering no one, he was just there to help. To average to be good, but still strong enough to touch the viewer. Which reminds me; I don't have the slightest idea what that final scene meant.It shows the scene where Tim Roth meets his ill mother for the first time in many years. It's weird because this first-time-meeting scene is shown sometime earlier in the movie and I just don't understand why Tim Roth would be thinking about the part where he just comes into the room and he and Mrs. Redgrave just look uncomfortably at each other. After his flashback is over there's this long shot of Tim Roth in the car and then fade back and the movie ends. ?????????????????????????????????????????????? What did it mean.If you have seen the movie and have any idea what this flashback means please write to me.