The Little Things

"The Little Things" is an interesting movie, very well done but under the headline very slow burn. Director John Lee Hancck has crafted an intriguing as well as interesting story of men at odds with each other for the endgame of things.

This story is a pretzel weaving story that keeps the viewer guessing throughout. Both Washington and co-star Rami Malek are in top form as detectives investigating the disappearance of females in the area, circa 1990's mileau.

Washington, as usual, excels with his turn as Joe 'Deke' Deacon, whose career has been stagnant for too many years, since "he doesn't go to the right church". His status in the policing community is well known, since his progress always yields positive results in the end.

Malek is still riding high from his Oscar-winning turn in 2018's "Bohemian Rhapsody," with his turn as frontman Freddie Mercury. I think people will be surprised next time they turn on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2," as Benjamin, part of the fang toothed sect of vampires. In "Little Things" he is lead investigator.

So readers know, Hancock is partially to thank for Sandra Bullock's Oscar-winning tirn in 2009's "The Blind Side." She was matriarch Leigh Ann Tuohy, who essentially adopts Quinton Aaron's Michael Oher. More recently, he directed the Netflix original "The Highwaymen" with Oscar-winner Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson in 2019. Hancock also directed Tom Hanks in "Saving Mr. Banks" (2013) a couple of years back.

As aforementioned, the pacing on this one is what I would call a slow burn in that it takes rime to unravel all the mysteries brought forh. Oscar-winner Jared Leto brings on the creep factor as suspect Albert Sparma. As of press time, he is already nominated for next years Oscars. Leto brings a certain odd reverence to the part that keeps one guessing until the very end. I can't give away too much, because I know better than to give away spoilers.

Hancock delivers in virtually every single department despite a few intermittent doldrums that don't show their head out enough. I recommend "the little things," because their are no superhero nonsense tales to spend one's almighty dollar on at peress time. So readers know, "the little things" is free with your subscriptuon to HBO Max.

GRADE: B+

(Review by Ricky Miller)