What is IFC Films God's Pocket?
IFC Films' "God's Pocket" is a 2014 American drama film directed by John Slattery , marking his debut as a feature film director. Slattery co-wrote the screenplay with Alex Metcalf. The movie is set in the gritty, blue-collar neighborhood of God's Pocket where Mickey Scarpato's (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman) stepson , Leon, is killed in a construction accident.
The film explores the aftermath of Leon's death as Mickey tries to bury the body without attracting too much attention. However, things quickly spiral out of control as Mickey finds himself in debt to some dangerous people and his secrets start to unravel. Along the way, he's joined by a cast of dysfunctional characters played by Richard Jenkins, John Turturro, and Christina Hendricks, among others.
Despite a talented cast, the film received mixed reviews upon its release. Many critics praised the performances, particularly from the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, but criticized the screenplay and direction for being inconsistent and lacking depth. The film's stylized portrayal of South Philly also received mixed reactions from audiences.
Despite the mixed reception, "God's Pocket" remains an interesting and notable entry in IFC Films' catalog of independent films. It's a movie that explores themes of grief, desperation, and the darker side of human nature, and features strong performances from its cast.
Frequently Asked Questions about ifc films god's pocket
A boozy lowlife (Philip Seymour Hoffman) tries to bury the truth about his crazy stepson's suspicious death, but a nosy newspaper columnist (Richard Jenkins) and the young man's mother complicate matters.God's Pocket / Film synopsis
God's Pocket is a 2014 American drama film directed by John Slattery, his feature film directorial debut. Slattery co-wrote the screenplay with Alex Metcalf, based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Pete Dexter. The film stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Turturro, Christina Hendricks, and Richard Jenkins.
The 1983 novel God's Pocket by Pete Dexter and its later 2014 film adaptation are set in the fictional South Philadelphia neighborhood of God's Pocket, which is based on the tough reputation of Devil's Pocket.
Philip Seymour Hoffman was a proud Irish American, his mother Marilyn O'Connor is a family court judge and he had recently filmed an Irish American movie called "God's Pocket" set in a Philadelphia working-class neighborhood but sections of it filmed in an Irish bar in The Bronx.
Three grim reapers escorts a man to the afterlife and will decide his fate based on what he had done when he was alive.Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds / Film synopsis
The Gods Must Be Crazy1980The Gods Must Be Crazy II1989Crazy Safari1991Crazy Hong Kong1993
The Gods Must Be Crazy/Movies
Pete DexterGod's Pocket / Story by
Pete Dexter is the author of the National Book Award–winning novel Paris Trout as well as Spooner, Paper Trails, God's Pocket, Deadwood, Brotherly Love, and Train.
The novel's setting is a South Philly neighborhood in the '80s known as “God's Pocket” (the real place is called “the Devil's Pocket,” though that name isn't too popular these days), and it's insular and tribal, full of low-level gangsters and alkies and people just trying to stay alive.
That life is short and we should live each day as if it is our last. That we should value our family. They're our blood and they're important. No matter how hard life may become, we should stick with them.
Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (Korean: 신과함께: 인과 연) is a 2018 South Korean fantasy action film directed by Kim Yong-hwa and based on a webtoon by Joo Ho-min, Along With the Gods. It serves as the sequel to the 2017 film Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds.
Set against the backdrop of an interstellar struggle, Gods Will Be Watching follows Sgt. Burden and his crew in six tense chapters from hostage situations and wilderness survival to biological weapon prevention and agonizing torture scenarios.
A Most Wanted Man is an intellectually incoherent film, out of sync with a reality in which intelligence agencies are a barbaric expression of the emerging authoritarian state. Features a measured but intense performance from Hoffman, but the film itself isn't as interesting as he is.
This represents the ultimate truth learned by the narrator, when he discovers that they weren't really gods; they were men. This is the beginning of the narrator's changing beliefs based on his knew truths. He realizes they were no different than his people are today, so they are capable of the same feats.
The CGI can be really mind-blowing at times and some strong performances by the guardians, but what really holds it together is the family drama under the fantasy elements. Definitely worth watching.
Taking a page from Buddhist dogma involving karma, judgment and rebirth and spinning an achingly sincere afterlife adventure from it, director Kim Yong-hwa returns from a four-year hiatus with a three-hanky weepy that's not nearly as grating as it should be.
In association with his role as a psychopomp and god who is able to easily cross boundaries, Hermes is predominantly worshiped as a messenger, often described as the messenger of the gods (since he can convey messages between the divine realms, the underworld, and the world of mortals).
