The Little Things is a 2021 American neo-noir psychological crime thriller film directed, written, and co-produced by John Lee Hancock. The movie is set in early 1990s Los Angeles and follows two detectives, portrayed by Denzel Washington and Rami Malek, as they investigate a string of murders, leading them to a strange loner who may be the culprit, played by Jared Leto.
The film was released in the United States on January 29, 2021, by Warner Bros. Pictures, both theatrically and on the HBO Max streaming service. The movie received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the cast, but criticism towards the screenplay.
Jared Leto received Best Supporting Actor) nominations at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance in the film. The story is described as a throwback thriller that will feel deeply familiar to genre fans.
The film explores the themes of obsession, responsibility, seeking justice, retribution, and vengeance, as the detectives become embroiled in the search for a serial killer who is terrorizing the city
Plot
The movie follows two detectives, Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington) and LASD detective Jim Baxter (Rami Malek), as they investigate a string of murders in Los Angeles. The detectives suspect that a strange loner named Albert Sparma (Jared Leto) may be the culprit, but they lack the evidence to prove it.
Deacon's nose for the "little things" proves eerily accurate, but his willingness to circumvent the rules embroils Baxter in a soul-shattering dilemma. Meanwhile, Deacon must wrestle with a dark secret from his past.
The movie explores themes of obsession, responsibility, seeking justice, retribution, and vengeance, as the detectives become embroiled in the search for a serial killer who is terrorizing the city.
The ending of the movie is open to interpretation, but it is suggested that Deacon sends Baxter a red barrette to give him closure, even though Albert is innocent.
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Cast
- Denzel Washington as Joe 'Deke' Deacon
- Rami Malek as Jim Baxter
- Jared Leto as Albert Sparma
- Chris Bauer as Detective Sal Rizoli
These are the principal actors in the film.
Themes & Reception
The themes and reception of the 2021 film, The Little Things revolve around the psychological aspects of crime, obsession, and the pursuit of justice. The movie delves into the complexities of the human psyche, exploring the toll that the investigation takes on the detectives as they become embroiled in the search for a serial killer. The themes of responsibility, retribution, and the impact of past actions are also central to the storyline.
In terms of reception, the film received mixed reviews from critics. While the performances of the cast, particularly those of Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto, were praised, the screenplay and overall execution of the movie received criticism. The soundtrack, composed by Thomas Newman, was also met with mixed reactions, with some finding it lacking in dynamism and interest.
The movie's exploration of the "little things" in the context of crime and justice, as well as its psychological themes, contributed to a thought-provoking narrative that resonated with some audiences. However, the film's reception was not uniformly positive, with some aspects of the production drawing criticism from viewers and critics alike.
Challenges Faced
The Little Things faced some challenges during production. The screenplay was written in the early 1990s, but the movie was not made until 2019. The film's slow pacing and dull storytelling were criticized by some reviewers, who felt that the plot lacked dynamism and interest.
The movie's themes and characters were also criticized for being weak and poorly executed. Despite the mixed reviews, the performances of the cast, particularly those of Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto, were praised. The film's long road to release, which spanned several decades, was also noted as a challenge faced during production.
Visual Styles & Techniques
The visual style and techniques of The Little Things* have been noted for their rich sense of atmosphere, period details, and formally traditional style, perfectly set in 1990. The film's visual style and mood have been compared to "The Silence of the Lambs," with echoes of similar psychological thrillers.
The production design of the film has been described as an eclectic mix of mid-century modern furniture and antiques, reflecting the characters' backgrounds and adding texture to the settings. In terms of the soundtrack, composed by Thomas Newman, it has received mixed reviews. Some critics found the music to be dull and lacking dynamism, with a very dark, subtle, and restrained style that may not appeal to all audiences.
Overall, the film's visual style and techniques, including its period-specific setting and production design, contribute to creating a rich and immersive atmosphere that complements the psychological thriller narrative of The Little Things.
Setting
The film The Little Things is set in 1990s Los Angeles, and its visual style and atmosphere reflect this period. The movie is noted for its rich sense of atmosphere and period details, capturing the formal and traditional style of the era.
The setting of 1990 is an integral part of the film, as it influences the narrative and the investigative methods used by the detectives. The absence of modern technologies such as cell phones and advanced DNA analysis adds to the authenticity of the setting and the challenges faced by the characters during the investigation.
The production design of the film has been described as an eclectic mix of mid-century modern furniture and antiques, reflecting the characters' backgrounds and adding texture to the settings. This attention to detail in the visual representation of the 1990s contributes to the immersive experience of the film and enhances its period-specific setting.
Trivia
- The Little Things is a 2021 American neo-noir crime thriller film directed by John Lee Hancock.
- The screenplay for the movie was written in the early 1990s, but the film was not made until 2019.
- The license plate 2GAT123, which has appeared in numerous other films, including "L.A. Story" (1991) and "Beverly Hills Cop II" (1987), can be seen on the car parked in Spot #28 as Deke and Sal walk through the parking lot outside of the police station.
- The film's soundtrack was composed by Thomas Newman.
- The Little Things was released in the United States on January 29, 2021, by Warner Bros. Pictures, both theatrically and on the HBO Max streaming service.
- Jared Leto received Best Supporting Actor nominations at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance in the film.
- The film explores themes of obsession, responsibility, seeking justice, retribution, and vengeance, as the detectives become embroiled in the search for a serial killer who is terrorizing the city.
Fun Fact
A fun fact about The Little Things is that the movie features a factual error in its depiction of the time setting. Some anachronistic elements, such as the presence of an exchange that did not exist during the 1990 time setting of the movie, and the appearance of Freightliner M2 trucks, which did not come out until 2002, have been noted by keen-eyed viewers. These small details add an interesting layer of trivia for those who enjoy spotting historical inaccuracies in films.
Director: John Lee Hancock
Writer: John Lee Hancock
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Box Office Gross $30,842,746
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 29, 2021
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 29, 2021