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John Patton Ford’s film debut reflects the current times we live in. Emily, in a breakout performance by Aubrey Plaza, is deeply in debt due to student loans. Not being able to find a well-paying job because she has a criminal record, Emily feels forced to get involved in a credit card fraud ring. The deck is stacked against her, and that’s something Ford sets up well right away. He puts you in this desperate world inhabited by people on the fringes of today’s society. While Emily doesn’t do herself any favors and is impulsive, the world around her is genuinely broken. Capitalism forces many people to become criminals to survive.
The film has the pace and feeling of a Scorsese or Safdie Brothers film. The pace is a slow burn, but it becomes relentless once everything is established and in motion. It’s an efficient, lean, and mean movie that doesn’t pull any punches and doesn’t judge the characters in them. It unapologetically takes you on a ride you feel forced and compelled to watch even though it’s uncomfortable.
Aubrey Plaza is an underrated actress, which makes me delighted to see her in a complex role in which she can revel. She ditches the glitz and glamour to bring a fascinating character in how she operates. It’s completely different from any part she’s ever had. Most audiences probably associate her with comedies like Parks and Rec, where she has a droll sense of humor. Here she conveys sadness, and desperation Emily is going via her facial expressions and mannerisms. This is the kind of script you probably dream of getting as an actor. The supporting cast is also good, especially the underrated Theo Rossi, but it’s Plaza’s show the entire way.
This is an excellent debut feature for Ford. I look forward to seeing what he does next. He has a sharp ear for dialogue and characterization. He’s also adept at building tension and slow dread. I hope people will watch this film and think about how the criminal justice system needs to be reformed to help people with records integrate more into society. It’s an immediate, impactful film about the world many young Americans live in today, which is becoming increasingly desperate.
