Widows

Starring: Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Jacki Weaver, Liam Neeson, Jon Bernthal, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Carrie Coon

Director: Steve McQueen

Based on the series “Widows” created by Lynda La Plante

After a botched heist that leaves Harry (Liam Neeson), Florek (Jon Bernthal), and Carlos (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) dead, their wives are left to pick up the pieces. Harry’s wife, Veronica (Viola Davis), is left to pay off his debt to the dangerous Jamal Manning (Brian Tyree Henry), a gangster turned politician who is running against family friend, Jack Mulligan (Colin Farrell). Jack is facing pressure from his father, Tom (Robert Duvall), who is worried his son will lose the district to Jamal because he won’t engage in the dirty politics that have kept the family in power. Adding to Veronica’s dilemma is Jamal’s dangerous and unpredictable brother, Jatemme (Daniel Kaluuya), who is keeping an eye on her. Florek’s wife, Alice (Elizabeth Debicki), has been left with nothing and no one except her mother (Jacki Weaver) who suggests she prostitute herself to make ends meet. And finally Carlos’s wife, Linda (Michelle Rodriguez), is left with two kids and has lost her shop until she has enough to make the rent. After finding Harry’s notebook that outlines the crime he failed, the women find themselves having no choice but to finish the crime their husbands couldn’t.

There are a lot of elements and characters in play, but the film never feels convoluted thanks to an impressive and smart script by Gillian Flynn and Director Steve McQueen. The pacing and tension is on point and there is nary a wasted frame in the two plus hour run time. If I had to knock the script for something, it would be a couple moments that lingered a little longer than they should have, spoon feeding the audience to make sure they understood the impact of the scene. One comes about two thirds of the way through the film and the other comes at the very end. You’ll know them when you see them. The film also benefits from having an incredibly strong, talented cast, starting with Viola Davis. The Oscar winner gets some great material and man does she run with it. The other standout for me is Elizabeth Debicki. I have seen her in some other films but she hasn’t really been given material this strong before. Here she is given a character with depth and she accepts the challenge with ease. I really hope she gets more roles like this. Daniel Kaluuya also is given some great material in what could have been a thankless role. He is downright terrifying, a far cry from his Oscar nominated role in Get Out, and really gets to chew some scenery. Michelle Rodriguez reminds people how strong of an actress she is and Tony winner Cynthia Erivo continues to make a name for herself. Although she enters the film late, she is a very valuable asset to the team. McQueen and his cinematographer, Sean Bobbitt, make incredible use of Chicago as a character. There is a quiet but fantastic scene that follows Jack’s car as he leaves a campaign speech in a lower income area to go to his upper class home. The entire car ride includes a conversation between Jack and his aide, but we never go inside the car, instead watching the changing scenery in one seemingly unbroken shot from lower class to upper as the ride progresses. Not only is it an incredible shot, but it tells us everything we need to know. The film makes a strong case not just for smart, character driven action films but also for strong female driven material. Do yourself a favor and check out this timely heist film with a purpose. A