“Alright, I’ll do it. I’ll find this guy. But only because, when it comes to you and me, I truly—and I mean this sincerely—I truly have nothing better to do and I despise my job.” —David
Today’s quick review: The Trust. Jim (Nicolas Cage) and David (Elijah Wood), a pair of low-ranking Las Vegas detectives, get a lead on a secure location used by drug dealers to store something valuable. They hatch a scheme to make it in and out with whatever is there, but as their plans lead them farther into a situation they aren’t prepared for, David finds himself having second thoughts.
The Trust is a crime drama with a minimalist setup and a competent pair of leads. Though not a flashy or action-packed movie, The Trust has a smart progression and a strong sense of character. Jim and David are right on the border of competence: probably in over their heads, but just resourceful enough to push forward. The plot’s twists and unanswered questions turn an otherwise straightforward heist into an uncertain endeavor.
The Trust is one of the few recent movies to use Nicolas Cage to good effect. His character of Jim is a goofy police officer with a bit of an edge, and his awkward jokes and suspicious behavior are noted by the other characters in the movie. He plays opposite Elijah Wood’s character of David, a younger cop, a chronic underachiever, and the de facto straight man of the pair. Both characters are well-developed, interesting, and somewhat unpredictable.
The Trust is by no means a masterpiece. Beyond two good characters and a couple of clever twists, the movie has very little going on. Its tinge of nihilism makes it more of an interesting watch than a satisfying one. But for an admittedly midrate crime drama, The Trust shows unusual character and vision. Watch it when you are in the mood for a slightly experimental take on the crime genre and are willing to sacrifice quality to find one.
5.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for decent characters and plot let down by general quality issues.