Spoilers Alert:
The starting point sounds a bit like that of “The Purge” films. It’s almost logical that the Netflix original THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME has pretty similar problems. We reveal what these are in our review.
Michael Pitt as the eccentric Kevin Cash is the clear highlight in “The Last Days of American Crime”.
What doesn’t have any charm at all are the characters. And so, over the two and a half (!) hours, which are far too long, it is all too difficult to remain permanently interested in the criminals’ concerns. This is not just because the story has far too little meat to justify such a running time. Dialogues like “You only notice the difference (between counterfeit money and real money) when you burn it. So don’t light your butts with that note.” All of the characters in “The Last Days of American Crime” also have a sometimes unbearable macho attitude that nips any empathy for them in the bud. The only emotional hold is the interspersed moments about the police officers who are helpless in the face of violence; Even if, given current events in the USA, it seems more cynical than was probably intended when filming.
“But what has no charm at all are the characters. And so over the two and a half (!) hours, which are far too long, it is all too difficult to take a lasting interest in the criminals’ concerns.”
While Edgar Ramirez (“Gold”) Michael C. Pitt tries to carry the film on his shoulders, but fails due to his limited facial expressions, but at least it’s fun, Michael C. Pitt (“Criminal Activities”) to watch his completely crazy over-the-top performance as a criminal eccentric. But unfortunately it cannot compensate for the lost potential of the premise and the loveless story – “The Last Days of American Crime” would most likely have been a flop in the cinema.
Conclusion: Lots of blood, reasonably solid craftsmanship, little charm and, despite the interesting premise, hardly any new ideas – the film adaptation of the graphic novel “The Last Days of American Crime” belongs in the “insignificant” category among the latest Netflix originals.
“The Last Days of American Crime” is now available to stream on Netflix.
