How Killing Them Softly Script Pdf Captures the Dialogue, Action, and Style of the Film
Killing Them Softly Script Pdf: A Guide for Screenwriters and Film Lovers
If you are a fan of crime dramas, dark comedies, or political satire, you might have heard of or seen the film Killing Them Softly. Released in 2012, this film stars Brad Pitt as a professional hitman who is hired to track down and kill two robbers who raided a mob-protected poker game. The film is based on a novel by George V. Higgins, and adapted for the screen by Andrew Dominik, who also directed the film.
Killing Them Softly Script Pdf
In this article, we will explore what makes Killing Them Softly a compelling and unique film, and why you should read its script in PDF format. We will also show you how to get the script online, and how to use it to improve your own screenwriting skills.
What is Killing Them Softly?
Killing Them Softly is a film that blends crime, comedy, and commentary in a stylish and gritty way. It is set in 2008, during the height of the financial crisis and the presidential election campaign. It follows the aftermath of a heist gone wrong, and the consequences for everyone involved.
A brief summary of the plot
The film opens with Frankie (Scoot McNairy) and Russell (Ben Mendelsohn), two low-level criminals who are hired by Johnny Amato (Vincent Curatola) to rob a high-stakes poker game run by Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta). Markie has previously admitted to robbing his own game, so Johnny thinks that he will be blamed again if another robbery happens.
The plan works, but not without complications. Frankie and Russell are sloppy and leave clues behind. Markie denies any involvement, but his reputation is ruined. The mob hires an enforcer named Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt) to investigate and restore order. Jackie learns that Frankie and Russell are responsible, and decides to kill them along with Markie. He also hires another hitman named Mickey (James Gandolfini) to help him, but Mickey turns out to be unreliable and unstable.
As Jackie carries out his mission, he has to deal with bureaucracy, incompetence, and corruption from his employers and associates. He also has to cope with the changing times, as he witnesses the contrast between his violent world and the optimistic speeches of Barack Obama and George W. Bush on TV.
The main characters and their motivations
The film features a cast of colorful and complex characters, each with their own motivations and flaws. Here are some of the main ones:
Jackie Cogan: He is a pragmatic and professional killer, who prefers to kill his targets softly, from a distance, to avoid emotional attachment. He is cynical and disillusioned with the American dream, and sees himself as a necessary evil in a corrupt system. He values efficiency and loyalty, and dislikes incompetence and betrayal.
Frankie and Russell: They are desperate and greedy criminals, who take on a risky job for a chance to make some money. They are naive and careless, and underestimate the consequences of their actions. They are also addicted to drugs, which impair their judgment and performance.
Markie Trattman: He is a friendly and charismatic poker game host, who has a reputation for being honest and generous. He is also a gambler and a risk-taker, who once robbed his own game for fun. He is loyal to his friends, but also vulnerable to suspicion and manipulation.
Mickey: He is an experienced and notorious hitman, who used to be Jackie's mentor and friend. He is also a drunk and a sex addict, who has lost his edge and his wife. He is depressed and suicidal, and unable to do his job properly.
Driver: He is a middleman between Jackie and the mob, who arranges the contracts and the payments. He is a cautious and bureaucratic man, who follows the rules and the orders of his superiors. He is also a coward and a cheapskate, who tries to avoid trouble and save money.
The themes and messages of the film
Killing Them Softly is not just a crime film, but also a social commentary on the state of America in 2008. It uses the backdrop of the financial crisis and the presidential election to explore the themes of capitalism, democracy, violence, and morality. Some of the messages of the film are:
The American dream is a lie: The film shows how the promise of prosperity and equality is contradicted by the reality of poverty and injustice. The characters are either victims or perpetrators of a system that exploits and oppresses them. The film also criticizes the hypocrisy and propaganda of the politicians, who claim to represent the people but only serve their own interests.
Violence is a business: The film depicts violence as a commodity that is traded and consumed by the characters. The robbers see the poker game as an opportunity to make money. The mob sees the killings as a way to restore order and confidence. Jackie sees his targets as products that he delivers to his clients. The film also shows how violence is normalized and rationalized by the characters, who use euphemisms, jokes, or excuses to justify their actions.
Morality is relative: The film challenges the notion of good and evil, and shows how morality is subjective and situational. The characters have different codes of ethics, depending on their roles and goals. Jackie believes that he is doing his job, while Frankie and Russell believe that they are doing what they have to do. Markie believes that he is innocent, while Mickey believes that he is guilty. The film also questions the morality of the audience, who might enjoy or empathize with the characters despite their crimes.
Why is Killing Them Softly Script Pdf worth reading?
If you are interested in Killing Them Softly as a film lover or a screenwriter, you should definitely read its script in PDF format. Here are some of the reasons why:
The script is based on a novel by George V. Higgins
The script is an adaptation of Cogan's Trade, a 1974 novel by George V. Higgins, a former lawyer and journalist who wrote several crime novels set in Boston. Higgins was known for his realistic and authentic portrayal of criminals, cops, lawyers, and politicians, as well as his mastery of dialogue and dialects.
By reading the script, you can see how Andrew Dominik transformed Higgins' novel into a film script. You can compare how he changed or kept some of the elements from the novel, such as the characters, the plot, the setting, the tone, and the style. You can also appreciate how he captured Higgins' voice and vision in his own way.
The script is written by Andrew Dominik, a talented director and screenwriter
Andrew Dominik is an Australian director and screenwriter who has made three feature films so far: Chopper (2000), The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), and Killing Them Softly (2012). He has been praised for his visual flair, his narrative skill, his character insight, and his 71b2f0854b