The theme of Killing Them Softly is economic collapse.
Various radio and television clips provide a stream of politician giving their
spin on the economic crisis. These broadcasts are aired in beater cars, back
alley restaurants and bars that were dives when they were
built. Even the airport and hotel rooms leave us feeling drab, as they are
barren of any human warmth. It’s all a landscape for a dark comedy; too bad we
never feel any sympathy for the larceny filled creatures that inhabit this
landscape. Right off the bat we are introduced to two of the sleaziest. Regrettably
these scumbags are going to be the only characters the audience can build a
connection. But they’re such repulsive losers that nobody wants to put in the
effort. As a result it’s hard to feel anything for anyone is this bleak world.
When their lives collapse-just like the economy-we’re left hoping for better
days.
