Greedy People REVIEW: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Himesh Patel-led crime caper is a half baked humorous thriller

Film:
Greedy People

Director: Potsy Ponciroli

Writer: Michael Vukadinovich

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Himesh Patel, Lily James, Simon Rex, Tim Blake Nelson, Joey Lauren Adams, Uzo Aduba, Jim Gaffigan

Run Time: 112 minutes (1 hour, 52 minutes)

Platform: Lionsgate

Greedy People Review

Directed by Potsy Ponciroli, Greedy People is a hilarious, blood-filled crime film centred on the life of Officer Will Shelley (Himesh Patel) and what happened after he and his pregnant wife Paige (Lily James) relocated to a small, dull town in the US. While they prepare to welcome a new member into their lives, Will is partners with a rather eccentric partner – Officer Terry Brogan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). While on their first rounds together, Will learns that his partner is involved with a married Chinese woman and tends to visit her during work hours. It’s during this time that Will gets an SOS call about a break-in at one of the homes in the town.

This visit – which results in Will accidentally kills the resident who made the SOS call, suddenly becomes high-profile. While Terry helps Will cover up the murder, the plot thickens and only gets bloodier as bew characters are introduced and a basket full of $1 million. In the next hour, the audience are introduced to several new character as several secrets are revealed and the loyalties of one and all are tested. Who will get the money? Who dies and who survives? Are Will and Terry exactly like they seem? To know the answers, one need to watch Greedy People and here’s out honest review of it.

What Works

The film is fast-paced and partially succeeds in blending humour with tension that will have you invested. The narrative – with impossible characters, explores the complexities of human greed and morality while also making you chuckle a couple of times here and there. Joseph’s casting as Terry.

What Doesn’t Work

Director Potsy Ponciroli fails when it comes to delivering a bloody but hilarious crime flick that should have tickled you bones. The script seems half backed and the manner in which the narrative flows isn’t enough to prepare us for the absurdities that are to follow. The entire film seems flawed as non of the character seem real or even partially inspired by actual people.

Star Performances

Joseph Gordon-Levitt proves his acting capabilities once more. Joseph adds character to Terry be it when he’s being a friend to Will to cover up the murder or when he ‘accidently’ kills Will’s dog post a dinner or the finals scenes we see of him. He’s the star of the film. While Joseph shines, Himesh and Lily fail to impress. While Himesh makes you laugh in the start, he fails to impress during the alter the part of the film. Lily on the other hand leaves an impact only during the climax portion. The supporting cast do a decent job with Nina Arianda being the only one who stands out.

Watch the trailer of Greedy People here:

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