(Left to right) Himesh Patel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in “Greedy People.” Photo: Lionsgate.

“Greedy People,” which hits theaters August 23, feels like a Coen brothers film made by people who have never seen the siblings’ work, but have only heard it described by someone who remembered the wrong things.

Although Joseph Gordon-Levitt leads a capable cast, the film just can’t find the right momentum around them and is neither as funny nor as effective as it thinks it is.

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Will “Greedy People” get rich?

The dark comedy genre is a difficult one to master. And yes, when we keep mentioning the Coen brothers, it’s because they’ve mastered it very well with films like “Fargo” and “The Big Lebowski” and others.

That’s not to say that other directors haven’t done it, but when you have a film that so obviously wants to stand alongside some of the classics, you have to make sure it really works. It’s unfortunate to report that Greedy People just doesn’t. It’s far from unbearable, but it’s marred by some serious problems.

“Greedy People”: Screenplay and Direction

(Left to right) Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Himesh Patel in “Greedy People.” Photo: Lionsgate.

Screenwriter Mike Vukadinovich is probably better known for television than movies – he’s worked on shows like “Kidding” and Marvel’s “Runaways.” But his screenwriting work for the big screen is varied, including “Rememory” and his work on one of the many development drafts of the upcoming “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”

Here, however, he’s come up with a new take on a familiar concept – money found in a small town filled with all manner of crooks, con artists and family types willing to do anything to get their hands on it – and, well, he’s come up with the latest, generic version of said story. There are plenty of quirky characters, but many of them seem like bland copies of earlier, better examples. And in terms of tone, the film is all over the place, unable to decide whether it wants to be wacky, dark or insightful about human greed.

Unfortunately, director Potsy Ponciroli was never able to overcome the problems of the script he was given. While he does get a handful of solid performances from a game-happy cast, none of it is really anything worth spending much time on. And one moment in particular — where the death of an animal is portrayed as a laughing stock — is so unfortunate that it sours even on the story’s most interesting character.

“Greedy People”: Performances

The only one who seems to be really enjoying himself here is Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who completely lives up to the role of corrupt cop Terry. Everyone else around him (except perhaps Tim Blake Nelson and, in a brief appearance, Traci Lords) feels like they’re in a different movie.

Joseph Gordon Levitt

Joseph Gordon Levitt in Greedy People. Photo: Lionsgate.

Terry the cop is a wacky, whirling performance that allows Gordon-Levitt to let loose in a way he’s rarely allowed to. And he does his best to bring the vulgar, morally-free lawman to life with enthusiasm. But as mentioned, he feels isolated from pretty much everyone else, as if he’s come from a different set.

Himesh Patel

Patel essentially introduces us to the strange world of the island of Nantucket as our audience representative, relying mostly on seriousness, which somehow works in Gordon-Levitt’s explosive role, but is more honestly suited to Lily James (in a “Yesterday” reunion) as his wife.

He’s by no means bad, but compared to his co-star, he’s also something of a wet sponge.

Tim Blake Nelson

Nelson – a Coen star – definitely knows what he’s doing in this kind of film: he ramps up the quirks and commits to being a scheming crackpot. Still, his role is relatively small and what happens to him is fairly predictable.

Supporting Actor

Surrounding the main characters is the typical ensemble cast of townspeople and friends/family. All the actors do what they can, some with under-resourced roles. Lily James does what she can with the role of Will’s pregnant wife, playing her with a welcome mix of pragmatism, spirit and vulnerability. Traci Lords has a glorified cameo as a housewife (and mortified better half of Nelson’s character) whose 911 call sets the film’s plot in motion.

Other notables who deserve praise? Jim Gaffigan is great in a small role (and a tall wig) as local hitman The Irishman. His performance and demeanor really suit this kind of film and he makes the character believably odd. The same goes for Uzo Aduba as a police captain whose cheerful professionalism masks genuine sadness.

“Greedy People”: Final Thoughts

Greedy People is probably best described as a worthy failure. There are certainly some worthwhile performances, some good dialogue, and a handful of funny scenes, but overall the film fails to maintain its momentum or figure out what it wants to be.

As the body count rises, the tone becomes increasingly tiresome, and while Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines in his role, even Terry becomes annoying. If you’re a small-town noir completist, you might want to check this out, but otherwise it never works as well as it could.

“Greedy People” receives 5.5 out of 10 stars.

What is the story of “Greedy People”?

Young police officer Will (Himesh Patel) and his renegade partner Terry (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) throw their small island town into disarray when they accidentally discover a million dollars at a crime scene (which they themselves caused).

When the duo unwisely decide to steal the money, the community’s quirky residents – from an expectant mother (Lily James) to a massage therapist (Simon Rex) to the owner of a shrimp company (Tim Blake Nelson) – are drawn into the mad race for cash. And everyone learns just how far they’re willing to go for the almighty dollar.

Who else stars in “Greedy People”?

The cast also includes Uzo Aduba, Nina Arianda, Jim Gaffigan, José María Yazpik and Joey Lauren Adams.

(Left to right) Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Himesh Patel in “Greedy People.” Photo: Lionsgate.

Films and TV shows by Joseph Gordon-Levitt:

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