A Caught Stealing Forged Member Doubles As A Sly Martin Scorsese Reference

There are a handful of neat little references all through Darren Aronofosky’s newest movie, “Caught Stealing.” Most of those need to do with the movie’s chosen setting, New York Metropolis in 1998. There is a second when the movie’s protagonist, Hank (Austin Butler), walks by Kim’s Video, a well-known vacation spot spot for NYC cinephiles in the course of the ’80s and ’90s. There’s the assorted music and tradition references sprinkled round, from Hank’s roommate Russ (Matt Smith) being entrenched in punk tradition to the massive variety of needle drops used. There’s even a neat little self-referential facet to the movie’s setting, as 1998 was the yr that Aronofsky’s debut characteristic, “Pi,” was launched. That film befell in a up to date NYC, which means that there is a risk that “Pi” and “Caught Stealing” are taking place on the identical time. An Aronofsky-verse, anybody?

All that apart, there’s one component within the movie that specifically calls again to a Eighties cult basic celebrating its fortieth anniversary this yr: 1985’s “After Hours,” directed by Martin Scorsese. That film starred Griffin Dunne as Paul Hackett, a company information entry drone by day who has his humdrum life turned the other way up throughout one lengthy, unusual night time in NYC whereas chasing after a ravishing and mysterious lady, Marcy (Rosanna Arquette). Dunne not solely seems in “Caught Stealing” in a supporting function because the proprietor of the bar the place Hank works, however his character’s title can be Paul, which means that Aronofsky and screenwriter Charlie Huston completely had Dunne’s “After Hours” legacy in thoughts when writing and casting the actor. Dunne’s presence in “Caught Stealing” might’ve been not far more than a realizing wink to Scorsese, however Aronofsky makes use of him extra responsibly than that, permitting Paul to double each as a sly meta reference and a personality that is distinctive to this film.

A technique that the “After Hours” reference in “Caught Stealing” features is to provide audiences who’ve seen the previous movie a touch as to the kind of film the latter is. In any case, each movies are NYC tales, they every concern town’s secret underbelly, and whereas “Caught Stealing” takes place over a number of days whereas “After Hours” is only one night time, they each belong to the subgenre of the “Everyman who will get in over his head” comedy. Each films additionally share a little bit of the identical tone, too. “Caught Stealing” is far more of a noir whereas “After Hours” is extra of a surreal farce, but the 2 movies make a meal out of subverting viewers expectations, at the least tonally. There are moments in “After Hours” that really feel akin to a horror movie, whereas “Caught Stealing” has a merciless streak inside it, one which acts because the peanut butter to its chocolate humorousness, so to talk.

For somebody taking a fast look at Dunne showing in each “After Hours” and “Caught Stealing,” they could conclude that they are supposed to be the identical Paul. Whereas there’s one thing paradoxically humorous concerning the workplace drone being reworked right into a wild and wooly exhausting partying Decrease East Facet bar proprietor, the mathematics would not fairly add up, at the least when it comes to years of age if not character. Actually, there’s nothing in “Caught Stealing” to indicate that this may be the identical individual. But the characters sharing the identical title is extra than simply a sign that the reference is being made. It is also referring to how every Paul is a mirror picture of the opposite, the identical man bodily however not spiritually. Dunne’s Pauls are males on two sides of a coin, one captured by conformity (regardless of making an attempt to interrupt out of it), the opposite too ensconced in hedonism to acknowledge an issue till it is too late. One of many stunning issues about NYC is how a lot of these individuals can share the identical house. Equally, one of many cool issues about cinema is how they will additionally, as on this occasion, share the identical face.