Hellmant 'SMALL CRIMES': Four Stars (Out of Five)A dark crime-drama about a former corrupt cop, that's just out of prison for attempted murder (from 6 year earlier), who's desperately trying to leave his former life behind, but can't. The movie stars Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau, Molly Parker, Robert Forster, Jacki Weaver, Gary Cole, Macon Blair, Pat Healy and Michael Kinney. The film was directed by E.L. Katz (who also helmed 2013's outstanding 'CHEAP THRILLS'), and it was written by Katz and Blair (based on the novel, of the same name, by Dave Zeltserman). It was released by Netflix through their streaming site, and it's gotten mixed reviews from critics. I found it to be a pretty impressive, and highly interesting, dark crime movie. Coaster-Waldau plays Joe Denton, a former corrupt cop that was recently released from prison. Denton did six years for attempting to murder a district attorney, named Phil Coakley (Kinney), under the mob's payroll. He attempts to reunite with his ex-wife, and their children, but learns that they've left town and never want to see him again. Denton instead moves in with his parents (Foster and Weaver), but they're suspicious that he's still a danger to himself, and everyone around him. At the same time he starts a relationship with a nurse (Parker), and he's harassed into committing yet another murder, by a corrupt police lieutenant, and his old partner (Cole). The movie is really dark, and full of unlikable characters (with just a few exceptions). Coaster-Waldau is likable in the film, I think, but it's clear that he's done some really bad things in his past. I really wanted to root for him, and I did, but the movie is more of a tragedy than anything else actually. It's frustrating to see how some people just can't get things right, no matter how hard they try, and how positive their intentions are. That's the genius of this film, and it does a pretty good job of telling that story.

nzswanny Although the dark tone of this movie may not be to everyone's liking, this film chooses intentionally and wisely to be downbeat and realistic without ever showing off it's own dark realism, therefore creating itself to be a film that will have very divided feedback and that's the main reason why I like it. This Netflix Original movie starts off with a scene that resembles the opening scene of The Godfather, possibly the most analyzed film scene of all time, containing similar cinematography, style and context and at the same time introducing the main character of the film for us viewers. Joe Denton is a kind man with a troubling past of small crimes and he is speaking to another man named Chaplin on the day that he is escaping prison, and this conversation between the main character, Joe Denton, and Chaplin held my interest because of how interesting the dialogue was. With good films like this one, scenes where you feel like you should be bored don't bore you at all and actually hold your interest, and what makes this opening scene so good is that it grasps our attention simply with good dialogue and camera work. Cinematography is a key ingredient for visual storytelling and the director of this film is aware of that, so he uses cinematography that catches the dark, realistic atmosphere of the film and in good taste without ever overusing it, always using it for important moments. Along with the cinematography is the humour which has been given very divided feedback from critics; to sum up the humour in this film, it is very straight-forward and cynical, and although it's not for everyone it's a damn fine treat for fans of black comedy. In fact I thought most of the critics would appreciate the wittiness of the cynical humour in this...the film isn't one of those "good popcorn feel-good" romantic comedies starring Goldie Hawn but the film is a "good popcorn feel-ashamed" black comedy starring Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau and isn't that better?It's a subtle black comedy and you can treat it as such, however you can also treat it as a serious crime drama. It's thought-provoking, interesting, visually great and containing the needed flow of a good film and if that sounds good to you give it a watch. After all, Netflix is providing us with films and we should be supporting their good work so they know what other kind of films to create. If you'd rather watch a sweet sentimental tale about a boy and his lost puppy however, go elsewhere.

stormy724 The summary states this is a black comedy, but I found nothing at all funny in it. I don't think I even cracked a smile. For me, it was a tragedy about a man released from jail determined to make amends and live a better life, but no matter what he does, it all goes wrong. Everyone is determined to undermine him, including his family.The back story seeps out a tiny bit at a time, but I still found it confusing. In the end I wasn't sure what exact crime had put him in jail. I admit I found it less than engaging, so maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention.I also couldn't figure out why, after a couple of bad incidents and threats, he didn't just leave town and start a new life elsewhere. Thomas Wolfe was right ---"You can't go home again" - --especially not a former cop who spent time in jail.If you're looking for a a fun comedy, this is not it.

Leftbanker I HIGHLY recommend that you read the novel before watching the train-wreck of a movie.At first opaque, later vague, a bit further it's confusing, and after 40 minutes in I have no idea of just what is going on. Before we have any freaking idea of what is happening, or what happened, or what will happen we are served something of a romance. I just think that you need to put your cards on the table a little sooner than way later. It reminded me of the children's game of telephone and by the time the story got around to the viewers it had turned into quite a mess.What we are left with is a shell of a story and a broken individual. Just how he got this way and why are things lost in the oblique telling of what led up to the events in the film.I'm kind of tired of all the ex HBO or wherever hack actors sneaking in to movies. They may have been good the first time around and it was great because they were fresh. Now they aren't so fresh so go and find new people, please. But this is just me talking and I hate movie stars.P.S. I wish that I had read the book first; the movie would have made a lot more sense.