There is certainly comfort in the familiar. Returning to things that are sure to satisfy can be more pleasurable than taking a chance on something new. In cinema, where is the line between a film being derivative and being a feel good callback to other classics in its genre? Maybe it’s a dash of creativity, a deep examination of a theme, or simply a great cast that elevates the material they are given. Warner Bros. latest psychological thriller The Little Things accomplishes this feat through a combination of all of these things. The film takes place in early 90s Los Angeles as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Jim Baxter (Rami Malek) investigates a series of murders. Former LA County detective Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington), who now works in a nearby county and is back in his old haunts to pick up evidence for a case, takes an interest in the case and decides to help out. Deacon and Baxter soon strike up a rapport and come to suspect Albert Sparma (Jared Leto) is the man they’re looking for. As the duo tries to find the evidence needed to nab him, Deacon must try to navigate the echoes and obsessions of his past while Baxter tries to prevent ones of his own from developing.
The film follows many of the familiar beats we’ve come to expect from the cop(s) vs. serial killer psychological thriller subgenre, but somehow manages to avoid becoming rote in its main theme exploring the psychological effect that past cases have on the psyche of those tasked with hunting down those criminals with mental issues of their own, even though that is also familiar terrain (e.g. David Fincher’s Zodiac); a testament to writer/director John Lee Hancock’s execution. The Little Things is just as much about how the past beckons Deacon, and eventually comes to consume Baxter as well, as it is about the detectives trying to prove Sparma’s guilt and link him to the murders. The guilt that Deacon carries with him serves as an albatross, preventing him from finding peace or moving on, fueling his obsession with solving cases as a way to atone for his previous mistakes. The film’s depiction of how the past has a way of always finding us, the perils of obsession, and how both can consume us if allowed to fester is both a welcome change of direction for a film of its type and a lesson for the audience in how to navigate their own lives once the film ends.
What makes The Little Things particularly enjoyable is the chemistry and ability of its star studded cast that is buoyed by some of the best supporting actors currently working such as Chris Bauer, Michael Hyatt, and Terry Kinney. Hancock includes in his script some delicious cat and mouse play between Deacon, Sparma, and Baxter, including maybe the slowest but most interesting freeway car chase ever and a bit of genius table turn from Sparma when he suspects the detectives of spying on him from afar. It’s the type of back and forth that makes the genre so fun featuring some of the best working actors today. Washington is his usual best portraying a veteran detective weighed down by his demons and Leto plays off of both Denzel and Rami well as a creepy yet smart suspect, although at times his performance feels slightly similar to past roles such as Wallace in 2017’s Blade Runner 2049. Malek is at his best near the film’s end as he becomes evermore consumed with nabbing Sparma and we witness his descent into the same mental space we see Deacon in at the film’s beginning. The depiction of this cycle on both ends is also a nice filmmaking touch by Hancock that gives the film much of its heft.
The Little Things is like comfort food and feels familiar without feeling like an exact carbon copy of what we’ve seen before. While this may just be due to our current cinematic moment being dominated by big budget superhero fare at the expense of grounded content such as this, causing a plain adult drama to feel fresh since we rarely see them anymore, it can also be attributed largely to its stellar cast who all bring their A games, but also to quality direction and writing from John Lee Hancock that is well paced and engaging. Any film featuring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto would draw at least some interest just to see the trio act together and the ensemble doesn’t disappoint. Watching this film breaks no new ground, but it’s an enjoyable night at the movies watching some of the best working actors do their thing onscreen.
Image: Warner Bros.
