Director: Ben Wheatley
Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Lena Headey, Henry Winkler
Running Time: 91 minutes
Synopsis: Two Yakuza underlings are assigned the unglamorous work of guarding crime proceeds in sleepy and frigid Normal, Minnesota. Around the same time, jaded law enforcement officer Ulysses (Bob Odenkirk) is appointed the town's Interim Sheriff. He finds the locals quirky, with an unusual amount of weaponry and unexplained wealth. When two hapless robbers unintentionally expose the Yakuza's haul at the local bank, Ulysses realizes that the whole town is corrupt, starting with the Mayor (Henry Winkler). A bloody war ensues.
What Works Well: Bob Odenkirk finds the necessary caustic but laidback spirit as a lawman rediscovering his passion just in time to improvise survival in an impossible situation. The overall premise leans far into ridiculous territory to find plenty of laughs, and several characters meet unexpected - and always ultraviolent - endings.
What Does Not Work As Well: The murky and muddy washed-out visuals are simply horrid. While the action is entertaining, nothing here is memorable, and the Tarantinoesque ambitions for gore overload lack artistry, ultimately achieving numbness.
Key Quote:
Ulysses: Calm cleans messy.
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