God's Pocket (2014)

This movie could have been something special. It was well cast, the plot was quirky and clever(at times), and the characters felt organic - like they belonged in 'God's Pocket'. It was definitely entertaining, and the story engaging, but it felt a bit rushed. I think the movie could have gone on another 25 minutes or so.There were also some serious plot holes. I won't spoil any details, but some characters' motivations made little sense, or COULD have made sense had they been given a bit more development. It all felt so unnatural at times. I can't speak for how faithful the movie is to the novel, but I don't imagine the author forcing things along that quickly unless it was a 150 page book aimed at a teenage audience...It screamed low budget at times, with modern vehicles abundant throughout (I think it was supposed to be the 70s/80s). Some fight scenes were incredibly cheesy as well, where a punch clearly misses, but renders the victim unconscious. Granted, these weren't major parts of the plot, but it might be distracting depending on how observant you are.5/10. Hoffman/Turturro were good as you'd expect, and it was definitely entertaining, but not something I'd recommend to a film buff.

I really enjoyed Hoffman, Jenkins, Turturro, etc. at an individual level. I enjoyed the set detail, lighting, and mood created and really felt as if I were having a drink in a Devil's Pocket dive bar in the 80's.The movie as a whole and plot however, were completely forgettable. I was actually quite pleased to see "Old Lucy" knock that horrible, racist, knife wielding kid over the head with a pipe. It actually felt like justice as it could be argued the murder was in self- defense and involuntary at its worst.Regardless, from that point on, I could not connect with the plot of Jeanie Scarpato seeking justice. I could not connect with the overly contrived "feeling" that Jeanie had about her dirt bag son getting killed as if getting accidentally killed in an industrial yard is completely unbelievable?! Not too mention that the rest of the film felt disjointed, without purpose and lacking in realism.At the end of the movie, I felt A) glad it was over and B) disappointment that we won't see Hoffman's incredible talent for acting again.

I've just watched this again a couple of years after my first viewing. This time I feel I must do the movie justice by writing a review.This is an absolute gem, almost poetical in its description of the working-class neighbourhood of God's Pocket. The film shows the events following a death and in that showing describes the lives of the people. Those lives are also examined by an outsider, an ageing and world-weary reporter, who is given to drinking too much and finds his libido drawing him too deeply into the world of which he is writing.At the heart of the story are Mickey and Jeanie Scarpato portrayed to perfection by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Christina Hendricks. It is the death of their highly unpleasant son that sets the plot in motion which rolls inexorably towards its close taking in moments of tragedy, high comedy and pathos on its route.In sum a beautifully conceived and realized movie which among much else drives home to us all just how much the incredibly talented Philip Seymour Hoffman will be missed.

I really enjoyed this film. It's a nice slow moving piece with colourful characters living their daily lives in their colourful neighborhood. It's indeed mainly quite a sad story about people that are bogged down in their routines and lifestyles, but it's also kind of quirky and bleakly funny in it's own tragic way. A simple story of what happened to.. that focuses on the people surrounding the "victim" and all the logistical problems that arise from the fatality.One can't praise Philip Seymour Hoffman enough, for in fact his entire body of work, but this is really the kind of film I like seeing him in. The character he plays fits him so well, it's almost painful to watch. A terrible, terrible loss. I cannot name an actor that would even come close to him.John Turturro is just plain sweet as the "partner in crime". He plays the kind of guy you would like to get to know, he's got something truly endearing. Yes the film is filled with wonderful characters, Richard Jenkins is perfect and probably has the most interesting role as a writer looking for, I guess, his life. Plus he has the privilege of playing some great scenes with the gorgeous Christina Hendricks. It would happen to me too, Mr. Shellburn.. Instantly!A sweet and sour story, a wonderfully acted chunk of daily life in a blue collar neighborhood, a fitting goodbye to a great actor. 8/10