Probably best known for his role as Reverend Smith in the HBO series Deadwood, and for creating the Sundance TV series Rectify, Ray McKinnon wrote, directed, and starred as dual characters in 2007’s Randy and the Mob. Set in the deep south, Randy Pearson (McKinnon) is a small-town hustler, whose world is unraveling, both personally and financially. Driven by a band of kooky characters, Randy and the Mob isn’t interested in telling a traditionally linear story. Instead, relying on a series of unpredictable twists and turns.
Randy’s life has been a series of bad decisions. This time, he’s in serious trouble after borrowing money from a loan shark with connections to the mob. When the bill comes due, and the mob comes calling in the form of a fixer named Franco (Paul Ben-Victor), after finding out the mafia means business, he must turn to his dysfunctional family for help. This includes his gay twin brother Cecil (also played by McKinnon), with whom he has no similarities. What relationship the two men do have, offers a unique perspective to the story.
Walton Goggins as Tino Armani, who gives Randy & the Mob its spark. Filled with unexpected and unpredictable confidence, Tino is both flamboyant and mysterious. He obsesses over high fashion and cooks high end Italian meals in the woods. Goggins manages to steal nearly every scene he’s in. Tino’s confidence in this otherwise topsy turvy world seems wonderfully out of place.
McKinnon plays Randy with just enough sincerity to make him almost worth rooting for. He’s beyond frustrating, but there’s a sense he’s doing everything he can to keep things together, despite making everything worse.
The late, great Lisa Blount’s (An Officer and a Gentleman) performance as Ray’s long suffering wife Charlotte, offers up a welcome mix of humor and exasperated emotion, balancing some of the more chaotic moments. Charlotte remains a kind of steady center in a hurricane of turmoil.
Despite its 2007 origins, this Blu-ray of Randy & the Mob has significant scratches throughout. grain is okay but looks a bit loud on a few occasions. Surprisingly, detail is excellent. The definition in closeups is stellar. Colors appear faded and blacks reveal significant crush. Contrast is a bit better but looks blown out in some instances.
The Audio is LPCM 2.0 stereo and serves this dialogue centered film well. Voices are clean, clear and concise throughout.
The following extras are available:
- The Accountant (38:34) The Oscar winning short film from 2001.
- The Making of Randy & The Mob (25:22)
- Trailer (2:25)