Wolfs

Have you ever watched Ocean’s Eleven and wanted more of the amazing chemistry between Clooney and Pitt? Do you still feel that way after watching the two other Ocean’s movies? Then this movie is for you.

The story of the film is two fixers who end up on the same event but are trying to solve the problem for two different clients. Each is a lone wolf type, hence the name of the film, but are forced to work together by powers beyond their control. Much like in a classic buddy cop style story, they initially don’t get along at all, actively antagonizing each other, until circumstances and events eventually force them to bond. Unlike a classic buddy cop story, both prefer to work alone and both think the other is the grizzled veteran whose age is prohibitive to the work. Of course, the story isn’t really the point.

The point of the film, whether intended from the beginning of the process or not, is to capture the singular energy of Pitt and Clooney on the screen together. In the tradition of John Wayne films such as Hatari! or Rio Bravo, this is very much a hangout movie. The great joy is in seeing the actors we love with great chemistry doing things together and bouncing off each other in enjoyable ways. The secret weapon here is Austin Abrams, as the unnamed kid, who serves both a plot function and creates a third point on which to ping pong banter. In what could have been a career-maker if this were released a decade ago, and so avoided the fate of being shunned to a less popular streamer to be forgotten, as Austin holds his own extremely well in such a star studded cast.

Beyond the fun hangout nature of the movie, the rest of the film is not all that much to write home about. The film is a neo-noir black comedy, of sorts, a niche it hits without much flair. The film takes place almost exclusively at night and while this does some legwork in capturing the neo-noir feel visually, though more on the neon-drenched, Drive adjacent side of the spectrum, yet the film lacks the dramatic shadows and clever camera angles of original noir, such as The Big Sleep, or neo-noir contemporaries, such as Fargo. The end result is something that feels serviceable but not special. The morally grey characters and ensuing black comedy are both robust enough, but almost always through dialogue rather than action. Given that the director of this movie also directed Spider-Man: Homecoming, I would have expected more of a flair for combining the action, comedy, and strong character work in this film, as his previous work does that so well.

Sometimes all you need is a movie that hits all the right notes well, and without a doubt this movie hits them. It takes the energy of Rusty and Ocean planning a heist by finishing each other’s sentences, or even thoughts, from the Oceans movies and applies it to a new realm for a new kind of story but with a highly entertaining hangout vibe. Yes, the film has darker moments and plays with darker themes, both comedically and dramatically, but ultimately the movie works because it is fun. It’s got a fun little crime story with twists, betrayals, and conspiracies to keep the movie going forward, two highly likely stars bouncing off a perfectly cast third, and just enough action and intrigue to never get dull or feel like it’s dragging. When it can feel like your choice is so often between a tired franchise picture or some dower Oscar-bait, a little fun can be just what the doctor ordered.

Would Recommend: If you want a simple, fun, modern hangout movie.

Would Not Recommend: If you have a burning dislike of either George Clooney or Brad Pitt.