Emily is $70,000 in debt with college loans. Each time a job looks promising, the background check with her felony conviction, crushes her chances. She struggles at a Door Dash-like job. She storms out of an interview for an assistant designer position after it turns out to be an unpaid internship. A fellow food deliverer tells her he got $200 for simply buying an appliance and gives her the number to call for a similar opportunity. It’s a shady gig, and contradicts her moral compass, but she decides to give it a try. So begins Emily’s harrowing experience as a “dummy shopper” in a credit card fraud ring.
Emily (Aubrey Plaza, Parks and Recreation, The White Lotus) is a fearless anti-hero. Her missions become riskier; the first purchase is a TV, then it’s a luxury car. She’s hard to like, but you can’t help rooting for her, particularly when she’s getting a beatdown from an unscrupulous sort. It’s her show, you’re just along for the ride. Theo Rossi (Sons of Anarchy) is excellent as Youcef, a Lebanese immigrant and co-captain of the crime ring. He’s relaxed and inspires trust as he conducts the orientation: what you’re going to be doing is illegal, no one will get hurt, and if you’re not comfortable you can leave right now. Gina Gershon (Bound) shows up as the HR head of the graphic design company. First time director and writer, John Patton Ford, keeps it tight and focused with a 96-minute run time.
An interesting and refreshing observation…typically guns would be ubiquitous in such movies set in the criminal underworld. No sign of one in Emily. Instead, blunt objects, hands, tasers, box cutters, and pepper spray do the dirty work. The absence of firearms creates a different type of suspense.
There’s a range to Aubrey Plaza’s normal deadpan delivery in Emily the Criminal (she hosted SNL last Saturday, January 21st, and addressed her impassive image, “I’m so happy to be here, and yes I mean that. I do care about things!”). She’s unpredictable, but there’s no vacillating on her next move. Emily and Youcef are physically attracted to each other and actually care for one another, but there’s no time for romance here. “You’re a very bad influence.” Who says that to who? Maybe Emily is the criminal after all.
(Emily the Criminal had a successful theater run and is now one of the most watched movies on Netflix.)
D² Rating ◼◼◼◩☐
Trivia: Aubrey Plaza starred in what popular superhero TV series based on a Marvel Comics character?
Answer: Legion
Comments
4 responses to “Emily the Criminal: Aubrey Plaza’s Bleak Battle with Debt and Employment”
Thanks, I’ve wanted to watch after seeing her in white lotus.
Gregg, thanks for commenting. I loved White Lotus. I was amazed that season 2 was as good as, or better, than the first season.
It’s on Netflix? Oh good, something we can watch in between episodes of “The Walking Dead”! I think there was a write-up last summer in New Times about this film that made me interested in watching it. Now, I’ll definitely check it out. As for White Lotus, I’ve resisted wanting to watch it so far but with all the positive reviews for it, I guess I need to take the plunge!
Thanks, MSquared! Yes, it’s on Netflix. Glad you’re interested in seeing it now. I think you’ll like The White Lotus. The two seasons are stand alone, so you could watch season 2 first if you want. And I took you up on the Sadies for my recent new music alert. Thanks for that. “Better Yet” was a good song for me to share.