Aaron Paul and Nina Dobrev Steal the Show in The Get Out

Mobster crime flicks with a dash of comedy  like “Ocean’s” franchise,Robert DeNiro’s brilliant turns in “Analyze This” and “Analyze That” or “Live and Die in L.A.” are proof that when this premise work it can ridiculously entertaining. But, the balance of pulling all that off can be complicated at best.

Based on Thomas Perry’s 2010 novel Strip, Russell Crowe plays a nightclub owner  n the verge of leaving his dangerous past behind for retirement with his girlfriend  Sunny (Teresa Palmer). Kapak suffers a heart attack and desperately attempts to keep his health issues hidden and although he’s been laundering cash for decades, he becomes careless when masked robbers Carrie (Nina Dobrev) and Jeff  (Aaron Paul) hit him not once, but twice. Kapak doesn’t panic, but everybody else does, and that is where his real problems begin. He soon finds himself being squeezed by the cartels when a mysterious newcomer/crime agent Joe Carver (Luke Evans) arrives with an interest in buying the business.  With danger closing in from all sides, Kapak must navigate a deadly web of deception, power, and survival where escape may no longer be an option.

Crowe’s subtle, yet dangerously cool demeanor as Kapak make this film worth the watch as is he partner in crime Palmer.  The pair is simply riveting.  But, Nina Dobrev and Aaron Paul steal the film with every scene they inhabit providing sorely needed comic relief in a film whose sluggish pacing suffers terribly. Dobrev is particularly hilarious as the robber who is always doing just a little too much, while putting herself and her partner in danger.

With a film noir sensibility layered screenplay from director Derrick Borte and Daniel Forte alongside entertaining performances from its stars, The Get Out will make audiences ponder when is it ever the right time to contemplate our longevity or  accept  we eventually will all suffer the same fate.  Although this film is entertaining, The Get Out never really enjoys the opportunity to fulfill its potential to become the outrageous thriller comedy promised.