Greedy People

August 20th, 2024

MOVIE: GREEDY PEOPLE

STARRING: HIMESH PATEL, JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT, LILY JAMES, TIM BLAKE NELSON, UZO ADUBA

DIRECTED BY: POTSY PONCIROLI

AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 ½ STARS (Out of 4)

RATED: R
RUN-TIME: 1 HR. 52 MIN.

With Last Stop in Yuma County and now Greedy People, it’s surprising to see films that excel at the Coen brothers’ style more than the Coen brothers’ own Drive-Away Dolls. The Coen brothers have crafted a distinctive brand, blending slapstick, tension, and thought-provoking elements with their brilliant writing. Naturally, this has inspired many admirers, and Potsy Ponciroli is a director who has proven his talent with the impressive low-budget Western Old Henry, in collaboration with Coen regular Tim Blake Nelson. Ponciroli’s follow-up, Greedy People, aligns with the tone of Burn After Reading or Blood Simple, where a small town’s residents stumble upon a large sum of money, leading to a chain of accidents and poor decisions spiraling into catastrophe. The result is that Greedy People is one of the most unexpectedly entertaining films of 2024.

Set in the quiet town of Providence, Rhode Island, the film stars Himesh Patel as Will, the new police officer settling in with his expecting wife, Paige (Lily James), and hoping for a peaceful life. His partner, the brash Terry (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, delivering some memorable moments), urges Will to keep watch while he engages in an affair with his mistress. During a routine patrol, they respond to what Will mistakenly believes is a burglary, which leads to an accidental death and the discovery of a basket filled with cash. Terry and Will concoct a plan to cover up the incident and keep the money, but they can’t control the persistent Chief (Uzo Aduba), a masseur who may have witnessed the murder (Simon Rex), and a wealthy businessman (Tim Blake Nelson) determined to protect his power. With so many characters and not enough pieces to the puzzle, chaos ensues.

The screenplay by Mike Vukandovich may not always be the most poetic, but it brims with vibrant characters. Patel plays the straight man ensnared in a chaotic situation, JGL is the loose cannon, and Aduba channels a Marge Gunderson-like authority figure. The supporting cast is a diverse array of character actors that enrich the film in ways many movies lack. Ponciroli’s direction diverges from Old Henry‘s straightforward Western approach; Greedy People is divided into chapters, each spotlighting a different character in the unfolding drama, with every moment brimming with unpredictability.

While Greedy People might echo familiar themes, it represents the kind of clever and comedic filmmaking that’s all too rare. The film showcases Potsy Ponciroli’s genuine talent and the revival of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s comedic chops, making it a significant contribution to contemporary cinema. When a movie is this enjoyable, it’s easy to get Greedy for more.

3 ½ STARS

GREEDY PEOPLE IS PLAYING IN THEATERS FRIDAY AUGUST 23RD, 2024.

Written by: Leo Brady
leo@amovieguy.com