Let me start by saying that Caught Stealing is wildly entertaining right up to the last shot. If you’re like me, you’re hit or miss on Darren Aronofsky films, but this one keeps you entertained through non-stop action until the end . With a great cast starring Austin Butler and Matt Smith as well as the lovely Zoe Kravitz, Caught Stealing does not disappoint. While it may be a little slow in the first act of the film, just stay with it because the last two acts make it worth watching. I didn’t know what to expect going into this film, but I was intrigued because of the cast and they didn’t disappoint. The movie is a gritty and comedic crime thriller very much in the vein of films like Lucky Number Slevin and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Two films that any film aficionado should see. I very much enjoyed this film despite the fact it started out a little slow.
Austin Butler plays a former baseball phenom, now a bartender in New York who gets caught up with his neighbor’s criminal activities…the neighbor is played by Matt Smith who is a punk rocker. If you ask me he steals the show. He was great. Matt Smith plays a character that you definitely root for just like Austin Butler. The story takes off as Austin Butler becomes a guy in the wrong place at the wrong time and a bit of collateral damage when multiple criminal factions are looking for Matt Smith’s character. You’ve got gun fights, crooked cops, and great chase scenes in the city of New York. Plus two old school Jewish mob enforcers played by Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio. I actually found myself rooting for them throughout the entire film despite them being bad guys. The film is very funny, filled with non-stop action, and for anybody that loves New York, the city itself plays a great character within the film. Probably the best part of the story is that it is set in 1998 against the backdrop of a very chaotic baseball season. Austin Butler’s character is a San Francisco Giants fan and for any baseball fan that remembers that year, they were vying for a wild card spot and would end up tied with the Chicago Cubs only to lose a tiebreaker game at the end of the season. That particular baseball season adds great atmosphere to the movie along with a great scene at Old Shea stadium during a Mets and Braves game. Not only does this film have incredibly entertaining characters that keep you laughing and on the edge of your seat, but it’s got fantastic pacing through the last two acts of the film.
Comedic crime thrillers never fail to entertain. Films like that that are not too dark never seem to disappoint because you at least get a few laughs. It’s not like watching a old school “New York” Martin Scorsese film where they can be dark and demented. I’m not saying those films don’t have their place, they’re great, but when it comes to pure entertainment, we want to laugh along with great action scenes. That’s what Caught Stealing does. Yes, the director may be trying to copy Shane Black and that’s okay. At least in this film unlike the last one I reviewed, he does a great job. Honestly the biggest complaint that I have about this film is that it did move a little slow in the first act, but you get introduced to great characters especially Matt Smith and the movie had a great pace That won’t leave you bored. Darren Aronofsky keeps it simple and keeps us entertained while maximizing the talent of his fantastic cast. In fact I found myself wanting to know more about the two Jewish Mobsters and Matt Smith’s punk rock character. Like, could we get a prequel that centers on their backstories. That’s how much you will care for these characters. Austin Butler’s character is good, but unfortunately he’s not the most interesting character in the movie. However he does prove that he can be a great leading man and carry a movie. Caught Stealing is one of his best movies. The verdict, this is a movie worth seeing in the theater. In fact this is the movie that Ethan Cohen’s “Honey Don’t” should have been. I loved the film and can’t wait to see it again. Do yourself a favor, buy movie ticket today and watch it on the big screen. But if you happen to miss it in theaters, it’s definitely worth renting!
