Gimme The Loot

Citi Field is a stadium in the the New York City borough of Queens, and is the home baseball park of the New York Mets. The centers for drug abuse treatment in New York are filled with people who have in the past done deals with guys like Malcolm (Ty Hickson), a petty criminal and graffiti artist. When he and his partner in crime Sofia (Tashiana Washington) find their latest graffiti masterpiece vandalized, they seek revenge on the rival gang behind the act of disrespect.

Their artwork has been “buffed”, or drawn over, with a picture of the apple that pops up at Citi Field whenever the Mets score a home run. Malcolm and Sofia hatch a plan to sneak into the stadium to bomb (read “tag with graffiti”) the apple itself, a feat not seen since the 1980s. The film opens with actual footage of the original “bombers”, bragging about their feat on a public access television broadcast. For Malcolm and Sofia, bribing their way into the park is going to cost them $500, however, which is not easily obtained in the Bronx.

… a surprisingly warm experience, with a lack of tension that’s nourishing rather than disengaging …

This is Adam Leon’s first feature film in the director’s chair, having directed short film KILLER in 2009. Before that he worked as a production assistant for a couple of Woody Allen films (‘Melinda and Melinda’, and Hollywood Ending). Judging by this ode to life in the Bronx, it’s clear why Allen wanted to work with him, as they both clearly have a lot of love for the city that never sleeps.

The original music was provided by Nicholas Britell, a New York composer who had previously worked on Natalie Portman’s directorial efforts, but it’s the classic soul tracks that really give the film character. Watching GIMME THE LOOT is a surprisingly warm experience, with a lack of tension that’s nourishing rather than disengaging.

… ripping off drug dealers, selling spraycans, […] and generally doing what urchins do …

Malcolm and Sofia have a fairly rough ride on the search for the money, ripping off drug dealers, selling spraycans that have fallen off the back of figurative lorries, and generally doing what urchins do. A large part of their plan involves burgling the apartment of Ginnie (Zoë Lescaze) a trust fund kid to whom Malcolm had previously delivered some dope. While there, he spots a large glass case full of jewelry. It doesn’t hurt that she takes a shine to him…

GIMME THE LOOT bears comparison with Larry Clark’s KIDS, which had Larry Clark and Harmony Korine seemingly looking for (and finding) darkness in what would normally be a positive and joyful setting. Adam Leon turns this on its head, finding positivity and joy in a pretty dark place.

httpvh://youtu.be/CSL-eAlGZh8