By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
"Greedy People," directed by
Potsy Ponciroli ("Old Henry") and written by
Mike Vukadinovich (TV's "Kidding"), is an unconventional dark comedy that combines acerbic wit with a thrilling mystery.
The film features a stellar cast led by
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (TV's "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel AF").
Gordon-Levitt plays Terry, a small-town police officer whose reckless abuse of power creates chaos and frustration among his colleagues, particularly Police Chief Murphy, (another star turn from Uzo Aduba, "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat").
Terry's erratic behavior includes making questionable "personal house calls" to a married woman (Yingling Zhu, TV's "Walter Frisk Lets Go") while her husband, Lin (Khetphet Phagnasay, TV's "Interview with the Vampire"), is away.
The plot thickens when rookie officer Will (Himesh Patel, "Good Grief") joins the force and is paired with Terry. Despite the expectation that Terry might reform, he continues his errant ways.
Will and his pregnant wife, Paige (Lily James, "The Iron Claw"), are eager to start their new life in Providence, the charming city with 1,592 residents.
However, the only advice Terry offers Will is to avoid killing anyone unless he really has to—a piece of advice that proves to be ironically prophetic.
Terry's visit to his "girlfriend" is what sets everything in motion. While taking care of business, Will is left alone in the squad car and mistakenly believes a call they get is about a burglary.
He leaves Terry and ends up at the home of Virginia Chetlo (Traci Lords, "Waking Up Dead") and accidentally kills her.
Virginia's death, however, is part of a larger scheme: her wealthy husband Wallace (Tim Blake Nelson, "Bang Bang") had already hired a hitman (Jose Maria Yazpik, "Madame Web") to kill her so he could be with his mistress Deborah (Nina Arianda, "Bang Bang").
Discovering a stash of money at the crime scene, Will and Terry concoct a plan to hide the cash and lay low, but their scheme quickly unravels. The plot thickens with the arrival of another hitman known as The Irishman (Jim Gaffigan, "Unfrosted") and a comically inept masseur, Keith Crawford (Simon Rex, "Blink Twice").
As Terry and Will scramble to stay ahead of the hitmen, the police chief, and the townsfolk who suspect them of foul play, the situation grows increasingly absurd. Adding to the chaos, Will lies to Paige, blaming Terry for the murder.
"Greedy People" is a gritty, yet hilariously absurd murder mystery that spirals into ever-funnier scenarios as it unfolds. It's a near perfect blend of suspense and comedy, making it this summer's irresistible guilty pleasure.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"GREEDY PEOPLE"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
