'Caught Stealing' Spoiler-Free Review
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In 1998, Darren Aronofsky made his directorial debut with the psychological thriller Pi. Since then, he’s been one of the most intriguing filmmakers of his stature, whose list of credits is incredibly impressive. His film Requiem for a Dream is considered one of the greatest of the 21st century. Although The Fountain wasn't a commercial success, it gained cult status alongside notable sci-fi films from 2006 like Children of Men and The Prestige. In my view, The Wrestler and Black Swan are Aronofsky's masterpieces, sporting career-best performances from Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Natalie Portman, and Mila Kunis. While his recent films, Noah, Mother!, and The Whale, have their fans, they haven't achieved the same acclaim as his earlier masterpieces. While Noah became Aronofsky’s most financially successful film, and Brendan Fraser walked the Oscar stage due to his performance in The Whale, it’s not unfair to say that his recent efforts have drawn mixed reactions. And then there’s Caught Stealing.
Caught Stealing, based on the book of the same name by Charles Huston (who also wrote the film’s screenplay), is far and away Aronofsky’s most mainstream and audience-friendly film to date. It’s not only a much-welcomed return to form for Darren Aronofsky, but it’s also one of the most memorable and entertaining films I’ve seen all year. Considering the films I’ve seen, both in the blockbuster realm and the indie realm, that’s saying a lot.
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Image Source: The Wrap
Describing the plot of Caught Stealing without revealing important character information is challenging. However, I’ll try my best: Hank Thompson, a former baseball player, is forced to abandon his dreams due to an accident. His life seems to take a turn for the better when he meets a woman named Yvonne. However, everything changes when his friend Russ asks him to watch his pet cat, and Hank unexpectedly becomes public enemy #1 in New York's criminal underworld.
While the plot may not seem particularly unique, it is Darren Aronofsky's direction that elevates the material. He infuses precise kinetic energy into the action sequences while handling the film’s more emotional moments with perfect sensitivity. The atmosphere of the film immerses the viewer in New York in 1998. The gritty criminal underworld suits the dark comedy of Charles Huston’s screenplay perfectly, feeling both authentic and slightly otherworldly. Aronofsky handles the action sequences expertly; every chase is meticulously staged, striking the right balance between intensity and comedic timing. Together with his frequent cinematographer, Matthew Libatique, Aronofsky infuses Caught Stealing with a visual flair that exceeds expectations.
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Along with its impressive action and visuals, the film also delivers a significant emotional impact. Hank's character arc, despite the exciting action sequences and humor, is surprisingly touching. You truly empathize with him and root for his success in the end, which leads us to the cast.
The main selling point and highlight of Caught Stealing is its impressive ensemble cast. It’s remarkable how many great and iconic actors are featured in this film, and each of them has a moment to shine. Zoë Kravitz brings a sense of vulnerability to her role, and her chemistry with Austin Butler makes it difficult to look away from her performance. Regina King is a standout, proving my theory that she’s an acting cheat code, meaning that her presence in a film significantly increases its quality. She commands every scene she is in, effectively serving as the film’s second lead. It’s refreshing to see a studio film finally capitalize on Matt Smith’s acting talents. Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio also excel in their roles as a pair of Hasidic Jewish mobsters, providing some of the film's funniest lines of dialogue.
I want to highlight Benito Martínez Ocasio, better known by his stage name, Bad Bunny. His role in the film has received significant attention to the extent that the movie's first screening took place in Puerto Rico. Last month, my dear friend and I had the privilege of attending one of his concerts, where we were welcomed by a large poster of the film near the coliseum. Martínez has been slowly but surely building an impressive list of acting credits, including memorable performances in David Leitch’s Bullet Train, Roger Ross Williams’ Cassandro, and Kyle Newacheck’s Happy Gilmore 2. In this film, his portrayal of Colorado makes the most of his limited screentime. It’s intriguing to see Bad Bunny, of all people, convincingly take on the role of a crime boss. Additionally, it's refreshing that he actually gets to play a Puerto Rican character. We deserve to see ourselves represented authentically for a change!
The movie truly belongs to Austin Butler. Following his Oscar-winning performance in Elvis, Butler has primarily taken on scene-stealing supporting roles, such as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two and cult leader Vernon Jefferson Peak in Ari Aster’s Eddington. Fortunately, Caught Stealing gives Butler another opportunity to shine as a leading man on the big screen, and he absolutely excels in the role. The film demands a lot from Butler, requiring him to showcase comedic timing, emotional depth, intense physicality, and, of course, charisma. His chemistry with Zoë Kravitz is electric, quickly making the audience feel engaged and at home. Butler compels viewers to root for Hank, even during his struggles. You find yourself deeply invested in Hank’s journey, and that connection is only possible thanks to an actor as talented as Austin Butler.
Image Source: The Wrap
It’s not uncommon to see users on social media constantly repeat the lie that every movie in theaters right now is a superhero movie, a horror film, a sequel, or a remake. And while there are certainly a lot of those, a lot of these same users ignore the great films that don’t fall into those categories. Caught Stealing harkens back both to the early films of Guy Richie and the Martin Scorsese classic After Hours, as evidenced by the casting of that film’s lead, Griffin Dunne. It’s a slick, frantic, and dare I say, sexy film that takes you on a ride and never lets up for a second, even when it’s time to slow down. Does the idea of Austin Butler constantly getting his ass kicked by Regina King, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Bad Bunny, all the while trying to protect a cat, sound interesting to you? If it does, I cannot recommend Caught Stealing enough.
As mentioned earlier, Caught Stealing is a welcome return to form for Darren Aronofsky, proving that he still has what it takes to make a great film. It’s also not just a showcase of Darren Aronofsky’s skills behind the camera, but also a showcase of Austin Butler’s undeniable movie star magnetism. Caught Stealing is the ultimate proof that Austin Butler is one of the best actors in the game. Sporting a great supporting cast and an excellent score by Rob Simonsen and IDLES, Caught Stealing is a remarkable time at the movies that deserves all your attention, especially if you’re a cat lover. Or an Austin Butler lover. Or a Bad Bunny fan. Or a fan of good ass crime movies. Just go see it!
Rating: 9.5/10
Caught Stealing is now playing in theaters everywhere. Rated R.
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