“Randy and the Mob” (Capricorn Pictures)
Quirky Enough To Fascinate
Ray McKinnon, Walton Goggins and McKinnon’s wife Lisa Blount joined forces a few years ago to create the short film “The Accountant.” It won an Oscar. Later they created and starred in “Crystal,” and it too was much acclaimed. Now they have created their first full-length feature film and it is titled “Randy and the Mob.”
“Randy” tells the story of a southern businessman named Randy (McKinnon) who has gotten over his head in debt to the mob. To try to get their money the mob sends a man named Tino (Goggins) to manage Randy’s business affairs.
When he first arrives Randy is enthusiastic about Tino’s help, but later he comes to resent him because everyone loves Tino. He wins over Randy’s wife (Blount), his son (Sam Frihart), his mother and most especially Randy’s gay twin brother from whom Randy is estranged.
The climax of the movie occurs when Franco (Paul Ben-Victor), who is the head of the mob, comes to town to collect his money. This is when Randy truly learns who his friends and supporters are.
The movie is different enough and quirky enough to make it entertaining. McKinnon is amazing as the two brothers. They look the same but act nothing at all alike. Only a skilled actor could create two such disparate characters in the same film and make them both believable.
Goggins steals the movie as Tino. This role is light years away from his current role as one of the detectives on the FX series “The Shield.” Goggins makes Tino a man unlike all others in this small southern town, yet one who is embraced by the entire community. It is a beautiful performance in a truly unique role and showcases Goggins’ versatility.
Lisa Blount also has some good moments as Randy’s long suffering wife. She is a woman going through depression while at the same time having some physical disabilities. She and McKinnon work well together as actors but she also responds to Goggins unique talents in their scenes together.
The movie is rated PG for mild violence.
“Randy and the Mob” is a movie that grows on you from the first frame of film to the last. Its simple but quirky story matched with its oddball but appealing characters make it a movie that is fun to watch. And these days that is a rarity.
I scored “Randy and the Mob” a mobbed 6 out of 10.
