It is strange that a film with such an acclaimed cast is so low on the film-industry radar, particularly one that is the last film by the late, great James Gandolfini. Here are our thoughts on the film;

Firstly, a 'drop bar' is a selected Mafia owned bar that is chosen to covertly collect their dirty-earned money from its different sources, then at the end of each night they come and collect it in bulk. 

Bob Sanginowski, played by Tom Hardy, is a loner bar-man caught in the middle of a robbery on his Cousin Marv's drop bar (James Gandolfini). Raising suspicions, an investigation lead by John Ortiz then begins which digs into the neighbours past - where one way or another, people will make a living.

For the next 106 minutes we are indulged into a Scorsese-esqe thriller. It is complex narrative, but with very simple characters, the contrast is exceptional.

Co-starring alongside Hardy and Gandolfini is Noomi Repace's emotional and solace character, Nadia. Considering her performances in many former blockbusters (Prometheus & The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), Repace is still reasonably unknown, but take our word. She is good.

Throughout, Repace and Hardy share puppy-cuddling amour, which is bound to draw in audiences. But it is only on the surface with cuddling, but deep in the centre, The Drop is a dark crime manifesto waiting to break free.

Formerly known as Animal Rescue (a better title), the film was adapted by writer of the short-story and film scriptwriter, Dennis Lahane (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone and Shutter Island). This too is no exception to his former work, as well as being an urban town set thriller. Directed by Michael R. Roskam, The Drop is ambitious, charming and oh-so unexpected.