capone
Derrick Dunn

Derrick Dunn

Despite a masterful performance by Tom Hardy, Capone is one of 2020 worst movies

Director Josh Trank tells the final years of Al Capone’s life are revealed in Capone from Vertical Entertainment. Opening with text narration explaining how Al Capone (Tom Hardy) finally ended up in prison due to tax evasion. We find Capone now aged 40 and being released after a decade. Due to untreated syphilis and no longer seen as a threat, the government decides to allow him back into society while secretly watching him.

Deciding to retire in Florida, we find that time wasn’t kind to Capone as he has to sell his belongings to pay off debts and support his family. Capone swears that he hid ten million dollars before going to prison, but can’t remember where he hid it. He also has to contend with scrupulous friends and former enemies who are all out to get his money.

When I first heard about Capone, I was expecting a traditional gangster flick. Still, instead the director decides to give us a character study. Sadly Josh Trank fails on nearly every level outside of the transformative performance by Tom Hardy.

Let’s start with the good, and that is Tom Hardy as Al Capone. The British thespian disappears into the role of the man who was once known as “Public Enemy #1”. Known for his strict guy persona roles, Hardy portrays Capone as a man who is nearing the end of his life and can’t accept his pending doom.

The makeup department does a great job with Hardy’s makeup, and the actor becomes lost in the role. I also appreciated Hardy’s use of dialogue and his ability to deliver Capone’s line with a natural flair. Sadly outside of Hardy, no one else in the cast is worth mentioning. 

There are also issues with the pacing that director Josh Trank uses, and the film as a whole may come off as confusing to some viewers. Perhaps Trank and Hardy should’ve gone the route of a one-man stage show instead of a straight forward film. Trank is a talented director, but Capone just doesn’t hit the bullseye. Recommended for fans of Hardy only.

Final Grade D-

Movie Clappers

More to explorer

Sleeping Dogs is a snooze fest without a bone

Renowned Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe continues to build upon his esteemed career with his latest cinematic endeavor, “Sleeping Dogs.” Adam Cooper made his directorial debut with the film and co-wrote the script with Bill Collage. The film is an adaptation of the novel THE BOOK OF MIRRORS by Romanian writer E.O. Chirovici.

Clichés withstanding, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire keeps the franchise alive

Director Gil Kenan and co-writer Jason Reitman continue to keep a beloved franchise alive in Columbia Pictures “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.” In the previous film, Phoebe (McKenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), the grandchildren of the late Ghostbuster Egon Spengler, defeated Gozer. As a result, they have relocated from Summerville, Oklahoma, to the New York City firehouse. Under the guidance of their mother, Callie (Carrie Coon), and Mr. Grooberson (Paul Rudd), who are now dating, they continue to bust ghosts.

Romance, the 80’s and crime fill the enjoyable Love Lies Bleeding

Director Rose Maud has switched genres, trading horror for a romantic crime drama in her second film, “Love Lies Bleeding.” Glass and Weronika Tofilska wrote the script, and A24 produced the movie. The story takes place in 1989 and revolves around Lou (played by Kristen Stewart), a reclusive gym manager, who falls in love with Jackie (played by Katy O’Brian), an ambitious bodybuilder heading to Las Vegas to chase her dreams. However, their passion ignites violence, and they get pulled into the web of Lou’s criminal family, led by her father, Lou Sr. (played by Ed Harris).

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

© Copyright Reviews & Dunn. All rights reserved

website designed by Red Robin Digital designers