Killing Them Softly is a 2012 neo-noir crime thriller directed by Andrew Dominik, adapted from George V. Higgins’ 1974 novel Cogan’s Trade. It blends gangster drama with biting political commentary on the American economy, particularly the 2008 financial crisis. Let’s break it down in detail.
Detailed Summary
The Heist
The film begins with two small-time crooks, Frankie (Scoot McNairy) and Russell (Ben Mendelsohn), who are hired to rob an underground poker game run by Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta). The logic is simple: Markie once robbed his own game years ago and admitted it later, so if it happens again, everyone will assume he did it again.
The Fallout
After the heist, the local mob doesn’t buy the coincidence. They suspect Markie is guilty again and decide he has to be punished to restore trust in the system. Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt), a professional enforcer, is brought in to handle the situation.
Jackie’s Philosophy
Jackie is a hitman with a cynical worldview. He believes in keeping things strictly professional and detached, saying he prefers to “kill them softly” from a distance rather than get personal. Throughout the movie, we hear political speeches from George W. Bush and Barack Obama playing in the background, directly linking the collapse of mob “economics” to the larger American financial collapse.
The Clean-Up Job
Jackie first eliminates Markie in a brutal beating that turns into a killing. Then, after Russell is arrested on a drug charge, Jackie arranges the execution of Frankie, who is the last loose end. The way he handles these killings is cold, precise, and businesslike, reinforcing the film’s themes of capitalism and violence.
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Movie Ending
The final act of the film is where Andrew Dominik’s political commentary hits hardest. Jackie has finished the job—Markie, Frankie, and Russell are all out of the picture, and order has been restored to the mob’s operations. Jackie meets with Driver (Richard Jenkins), the mob’s middleman, in a bar to receive payment.
However, Jackie is furious. Instead of paying him the agreed amount, Driver tries to negotiate him down, claiming the recession has forced budget cuts. Jackie rejects the excuse, pointing out that everyone else in the criminal hierarchy got paid fairly, and he did all the dirty work.
At that moment, Barack Obama’s 2008 victory speech plays on the television, where Obama speaks about unity and the promise of “one America.” Jackie scoffs at the idea. He delivers the movie’s famous closing line:
“America’s not a country. It’s just a business. Now f*ing pay me.”**
The film ends there, cutting to black, leaving the audience with a sharp, uncompromising message about capitalism, morality, and the violent structures that underpin both.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Killing Them Softly does not feature any post-credits scenes. The film ends abruptly after Jackie’s closing line, reinforcing its dark, cynical worldview without any additional content.
Type of Movie
The film is a neo-noir crime drama with strong elements of social satire and political allegory. It uses the framework of a gangster story to critique capitalism and American politics.
Cast
- Brad Pitt as Jackie Cogan
- Scoot McNairy as Frankie
- Ben Mendelsohn as Russell
- Richard Jenkins as Driver
- Ray Liotta as Markie Trattman
- James Gandolfini as Mickey
- Vincent Curatola as Johnny Amato
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Marc Streitenfeld, with a soundtrack that mixes old pop, jazz, and rock songs with dark atmospheric tones. Notable tracks include Johnny Cash’s “The Man Comes Around” and Ketty Lester’s haunting “Love Letters,” both used effectively to emphasize themes of inevitability and decay.
Filming Locations
The movie was shot primarily in New Orleans, Louisiana, even though the book was set in Boston. The decision was partly due to tax incentives and partly to give the film a more decayed, post-Katrina atmosphere that matched the story’s themes of broken systems and crumbling infrastructure.
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Awards and Nominations
While it didn’t win major awards, Killing Them Softly premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2012 and received nominations for the Palme d’Or. Critics praised its sharp writing and performances, though its heavy political undertones divided audiences.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Brad Pitt produced the movie through his company, Plan B Entertainment.
- The film faced backlash in the U.S. for being overtly political, leading to a muted box office performance.
- James Gandolfini’s role as Mickey, a washed-up hitman, was widely praised despite being relatively short. Gandolfini later said it was one of his favorite late-career roles.
- Director Andrew Dominik leaned into improvisation for several dialogue-heavy scenes, letting the actors play off each other naturally.
Inspirations and References
The film is adapted from George V. Higgins’ 1974 novel Cogan’s Trade. While the novel was rooted in Boston’s organized crime world of the 1970s, Dominik modernized it to 2008 America, during the financial crisis and presidential election. This updated setting allowed him to weave in commentary on capitalism, failure, and survival.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no known alternate endings, but some deleted dialogue and extended sequences exist. Early edits reportedly had longer political speech overlays, but these were trimmed to keep the focus on Jackie and the mob story.
Book Adaptations and Differences
- Setting: The novel takes place in 1970s Boston, while the film is set in post-Katrina New Orleans.
- Tone: The book is more straightforward crime fiction, whereas the film heavily emphasizes political allegory.
- Character Focus: The novel spreads more evenly across its ensemble, while the movie hones in on Jackie’s worldview.
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Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The poker game robbery with Frankie and Russell, played out with tense humor.
- Markie’s brutal beating, which highlights the mob’s code of discipline.
- Jackie’s cold execution of Frankie in the car.
- The final bar scene with Jackie delivering the iconic monologue.
Iconic Quotes
- Jackie: “Don’t make me laugh. We’re living in America, and in America you’re on your own.”
- Jackie: “Killing them softly, from a distance. I don’t like feelings. Don’t want to think about them.”
- Jackie (final line): “America’s not a country. It’s just a business. Now f***ing pay me.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Background speeches from George W. Bush and Barack Obama are not random—they are carefully timed to mirror the mob’s conversations.
- The setting in post-Katrina New Orleans is a visual metaphor for economic and moral collapse.
- Jackie’s “kill them softly” philosophy is mirrored in the detached, procedural way the mob handles business.
Trivia
- Brad Pitt reportedly loved the novel Cogan’s Trade and pushed hard to get the adaptation made.
- The movie grossed only $37 million worldwide against a $15 million budget, underperforming due to its bleak tone.
- Critics compared it to The Sopranos because of Gandolfini’s presence and the mobster themes.
Why Watch?
Watch Killing Them Softly if you want a gangster film that’s more than just shootouts and mob drama. It’s a sharp critique of capitalism, disguised as a gritty crime story, with a powerhouse performance from Brad Pitt. It’s thought-provoking, stylish, and brutally honest.
Director’s Other Movies
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
- No Country for Old Men (2007)
- The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)
- Goodfellas (1990)
- The Departed (2006)