NO SUDDEN MOVE (2021)

In this weird neo-Noir, set in Detroit in 1954, a group of small time criminals is brought together to a family hostage to force the husband/father to steal an automotive secret from his employer that the crooks can then sell to the highest bidding car maker. The most interesting part is the interaction between two of the crooks--Goynes (Don Cheadle, looking like an emaciated Al Sharpton), and Russo (Benicio del Toro, who makes Robert Mitchum look wired on meth), with Goynes becoming the leader. Nothing is as it seems, no one is a good guy, and there are a dizzying number of double-, triple-, and quadruple-crosses. Direction by Steven Soderbergh is jerky at times, and satiric humor appears at random, often illogical, points, presumably poking fun at Fifties culture and mores. Brendan Fraser, Ray Liotta ,and Matt Damon appear, too. Acting by the principals is excellent and so is the filming; the rest, not so good.