“The Shakedown” is a comedy movie directed by Ari Kruger starring Carl Beujer, Emmanuel Castis, Julia Anastasopoulos and Berenice Barbier.
With little fanfare, “The Shakedown” arrives as an enjoyable screwball comedy centered on a family man whose initial blunder leads to a cascade of increasingly larger and more ludicrous mistakes.
This film does not pretend to revolutionize cinema or its genre. Instead, it aims to entertain and help us unwind through a well-directed narrative filled with good dialogues. While it won’t manage to shock or surprise almost anyone, it does deliver on its promise of amusement.
Plot Summary
An insurance salesman finds himself in a precarious situation when his mistress blackmails him. In desperation, he turns to his brother for help to scare her off. Amidst the ensuing chaos, a mobster gets involved, leading to a complicated web of lies, beatings, and more deceit, eventually ensnaring his entire family.
About the Film
The film oscillates gracefully between being a family-friendly flick and a dark comedy filled with murders, mobsters, and other macabre elements. However, it never fully commits to either genre, falling somewhere in between. It lacks the rebelliousness and daring often associated with macabre comedies, making it a hybrid that doesn’t entirely fit into any specific category.
There are some genuinely delightful scenes, particularly those featuring Berenice Barbier, the film’s most charming and humorous actress. However, don’t expect her to dominate the screen, as her appearances are limited.
“With little fanfare” is a comedy that entertains with its well-crafted characters and amusing scenarios. However, if you are searching for something sophisticated or daring, you might be left wanting. It is more of a conventional comedy, a product designed to expand Prime Video’s catalog, which admittedly does not produce as much original content compared to other streaming platforms.
The film debuts with little fanfare, featuring only a single English version, and arrives almost as a surprise without any significant advertising. Despite its light and common nature, it manages to entertain with some funny characters and a script that, while not helmed by someone like Guy Ritchie, does contain a bit of his mocking spirit and intricate, humorous plotting.
Our Opinion
The film does not aim for anything beyond entertainment, and in that regard, it succeeds. It provides a light-hearted comedy that, with its occasional daring moments, manages to amuse and entertain in various scenes, achieving exactly what it sets out to do.
Where to Watch “The Shakedown”
Prime video
