Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon break hospitality, in “99 Homes”. Set amidst the backdrop of the 2008 housing market catastrophe, Dennis Nash (Garfield), a hard working and honest man, can’t save his family home despite his best efforts. Thrown to the streets with alarming precision by real estate shark Mike Carver (Shannon), Dennis, out of work and luck, is given a unique opportunity; to join Carver’s crew and put others through the harrowing ordeal done to him in order to earn back what’s his.

Make no mistake about it, “99 Homes” is a period piece that is an eye opening reality in today’s world. Director Ramin Bahrani crafts an emotionally insightful piece of American realism that will shake the audience to it’s very core. What Bahrani does is cast real emotion, led by strong performances from both of his male leads, but also in a strong supporting cast. The camera shots in this film are greatly important, and there are a lot of great handheld camera shots here that get in real close when these families are losing their homes. The film casts different personalities from all walks of life, even a heartbreaking scene involving an elderly man losing his home. That is what constructs this film very well and doesn’t necessarily try to put it in the most enjoyable of lights, like in “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Greed is the game in this film, and that greed cripples these families when they realize they have lost everything and are misinformed when these same con men rip them off for their homes.

Andrew Garfield gives his greatest performance to date. It’s his transformation slowly in this film that offers a lot of self-reflection into the snake that he is becoming. He is faced with the question of how important it is to get back what he had for his Mother and Son, and just how far he is willing to go for that answer. Michael Shannon is my favorite actor to play a vilain in Hollywood, and this film is a good indicator of why. Shannon seduces the audience with his smooth talking. He plays this con game with such perfection, I found myself even believing his long winded speech about why these people have run out of opportunities. The most appalling thing about Shannon’s character, is the fact that he feels no remorse for what he is doing, because he believes he is right. He hypnotizes Garfield’s character into going against his morals and to ignore the things that this man did to his family, and it is a bumpy, transfixing ride.

My solo problem with the film came in some predictable aspects to it’s ending. Anyone paying attention will realize where this film is going with about a half hour to spare, and it’s in that third act where we have to let the worst play out for these characters. It doesn’t ruin the film, mostly because of a heart pounding finale that will have you on the edge of your seat. Most of the problems that i worried about early on fixed themselves midway through, and i couldn’t keep my eyes off of the screen for this smart script that took a lot of chances that could’ve alienated it’s audience from embracing these characters. What we are left with is an honest look into American greed, when we struggle to see who we step on to get to the top. “99 Homes” is a gripping dramatic thriller. This is one home that has a strong foundation, complete with durable structure to help us through the storms of powerful confrontations that will leave you aghast. Definitely check it out.

8/10