Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

It's impossible to substantiate my issues with this movie without spoilers, because my main issue is with the plot.Cinematographically it's all well done. The acting, i wasn't too enthousiastic about, but that also had to do with the casting combined with how the characters were drawn. It's weird, but i can only conclude that this just wasn't a role for Tom Hardy.He's meant to come across as this simple, morally relatively good man, who is later reveiled as the toughest killer of them all. But the problem is, Tom Hardy already has this air of moral ambiguity, of psychological depth around him, however simple a man he wants to portray. This largely undermines the effect of the beforementioned plot twist. I could just discern that the makers of this movie were aiming for it, but because of the kind of actor Tom Hardy is, however good, it doesn't work.The other way around, the guy who was supposed to be the real baddy, who turned out to be kind of a loser, also didn't really work. Again because this was all dependent on the turnaround that was supposed to originate from Tom Hardy's character. Without the effect of this twist, the movie never surpasses the level of a mediocre, slow, and even kind of boring crime story.Also, because of the focus on this battle between the protagonist and his enemy, which again failed to come across, the maffia boss was even less intimidating than he would have been were he the main antagonist. Same goes for James Gandolfini's character. That character worked way better than Hardy's part, but i feel he should have been the focus of the story. His scheming is barely more than a plot device for Tom Hardy's intended reveal, but at least he was on the same path all throughout the movie, and the audience could relate to his motivations. But now that Hardy was the protagonist, and we are supposed to relate to him, how can the writers expect to hide the fact that he was not wat he was portrayed to be in the beginning of the movie?It would have been better if we would have followed cousin Merv more, seen things from his perspective, most of all his dayly dealings with Bob, and suddenly get confronted with the real Bob. So in short, the movie is well made, but it fails plotwise, and it pains me to say that Hardy was simply miscast.

The DropThe strength of the feature lies upon its mild yet powerful drama where even though it is back drop upon this massive gangster street genre, it still seeks for its little moments that gives the appropriate depth to its amusing characters. Michael R. Roskam's brilliant execution surpasses its genuinely moving script that even though never gets big enough for screen, is still effective. Tom Hardy has done some decent work along with Noomi Rapace and James Gandolfini on his supporting side. The Drop stands alone in terms of its unpredictable plot line and the amusing bits installed in characters that helps them bond and communicate easily with the audience.

The Drop (2014) ****In Brooklyn, there's a bar used as a money drop by dangerous Chechen gangsters. Bob (Hardy) works at the bar for his cousin Marv (Gandolfini) who runs the place.Marv had a problem. As a result, Bob has a secret that has haunted him for many years.In the present time, Marv gets stupid again. Placing Bob and himself in danger. Initially, Bob seems to be a timid unambitious drone. He curries obsequious favor with the Chechens. But, he acquires a puppy, then a girlfriend (Noomi Rapace). Someone comes along to threaten both.This film is a quality drama, without the rolling gunfire and chase scenes currently in vogue. Well crafted and well played by the entire cast. Good pacing and effective cinematography. The film is a narrative about the motivation and character of the main cast.In the climatic scene, all is revealed as Bob takes care of his problems. Also earning the respect of the Chechens.Some might find the film to be too sparse. Not enough action and melodrama. But, there is tension and fear aplenty. Clues are there for us to pick over at the conclusion of the story.

If you think Tom Hardy is an average actor, You need to watch this film I am sure it will change your opinion. Of all the films that I have watched of the same genre it out stands most of them. The acting was superb and so was the direction. Every minute of this movie will keep you stick to your chair.