“Caught Stealing” is a funny name for Darren Aronofsky’s new film. Not just because of how much baseball factors into the plot, but because in reality, every character kind of gets away with everything. Unless they end up dead.
“Caught Stealing” doesn’t really feel like an Aronofsky movie, but rather like Aronofsky by way of Guy Ritchie. Written by Charlie Huston and based on his book, “Caught Stealing” is about Hank Thompson (Austin Butler), a former high school baseball player whose professional potential was ruined by a drunk driving accident. Now, he bartends on the Lower East Side, drinks too much, and lives vicariously through his beloved San Francisco Giants. No one loves the Giants (or hates the Mets) more than Hank. During a sex scene, he takes off his Giants cap in order to take his shirt off, then immediately puts the hat back on. A true fan.
After being asked by his punk rock neighbor Russ (Matt Smith) to watch his cat while he goes to see his dying father in England, Hank is attacked by two Russian gangsters interested in Russ’ whereabouts, and quickly becomes embroiled in a web of crime with no earthly idea what’s going on. It’s a wacky premise, and one that is mostly well-served by Huston’s script and Aronofsky’s direction. Except when it gets a little too … well, Aronofsky, suddenly becoming a little too nasty for the tone it’s trying to strike.
Read Sammie’s full review on Rough Draft
