EMILY THE CRIMINAL

After decades of films portraying women as having no agency, just there to support the male protagonist, it's great that we now have films like this one where a woman is the uncompromising and unsentimental lead character.

Emily, played by Aubrey Plaza (April from 'Parks and Recreation'), is struggling to get by in the gig economy, given that she can’t get a regular job because of a minor felony in her past.

The film has an unadorned style throughout in terms of the visual quality and the minimal use of music.  Especially in the early scenes this helps to ground the film in Emily’s reality, as she tries to keep her life from spinning out of control.

When an opportunity arises to make some easy money, albeit illegally, using fake credit cards she is unable to resist.  Not before long she is trying to move on up within this 'business' and also getting into a relationship of sorts with Youcef, one of the guys running the criminal operation.

Unfortunately Youcef's cousin Khalil doesn't like Emily from the start, and when some carelessness by Emily endangers the operation things escalate rapidly, leading to an exciting conclusion, although I felt that the happy ending, for Emily at least, was somewhat implausible.

It's no masterpiece, but certainly worth a view, and another interesting addition to Aubrey Plaza's portfolio.

RATING: ✓ If You've Nothing Better To Do