(Written by Intern, Sean Barry)
In light of growing police brutality scandals flooding the country, more stories concerning police and their misadventures on the job have risen to the forefront. Some showcase dramatic beats, while others take a more comedic approach. Greedy People lies somewhere in the middle, boasting initial satirical humor that ultimately transitions to disastrous tragedy. Despite a few superfluous subplots, this buddy cop duo gone wrong narrative boasts strong performances and a dynamic screenplay.
After moving to a small town, Will (Himesh Patel) joins the police force. Upon entry, he receives his partner, Terry (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), whose bombastic and extraverted demeanor starkly contrasts Will’s more reserved nature. When Will commits an accidental homicide on his first day, he and Terry initiate a cover-up. Despite a mutual vow of secrecy, Will tells his wife (Lily James), who grows wary of Terry’s reliability. Little do they realize that countless other people were also implicated in the crime, causing ruptures through the neighborhood. Without anyone knowing the whole truth of the day in question, each attempts to solve the mystery while avoiding getting discovered by the chief of police.
A compelling script can easily be sunk by an untalented cast. Thankfully, characters here are effortlessly brought to life by these masterfully casted roles, allowing the area to feel lived in. Despite artificial dialects being developed for our characters, hardly a word or phrase feels out of place. Himesh Patel’s feigned southern drawl is so natural that it becomes barely noticeable. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays effectively against type as an audacious cop willing to do anything if it ensures his safety. He never veers into performative or unrealistic territory as is common with similar roles. Lily James brings multiple layers to her portrayal of a troubled woman nervous about her husband’s safety. In a later scene, James and Gordon-Levitt share a moment where he intimidates her into inaction. Both actors display necessary subtext, and heavy emotions rise in a standoff of tension.
Although initially feeling routine, each character introduction adds another layer of complexity to the crime, making it nearly impossible to guess what happens next. However, Greedy People unveils most of its secrets within the first half, and while each reveal is shocking, little is left to discover towards the end. An overabundance of frivolous plotlines are shoehorned in, resolving too easily and without interference from Will or Terry. Nonetheless, unexpected turns and powerful dialogue make for a highly intriguing crime drama with just enough comedy to keep things light.
See if these Greedy People get away with criminal behavior when it releases into select theaters on Friday, August 23.
