Little Cigars

Little Cigars is a mesmerizing crime-drama film released in 1973, emphasizing the unusual blend of comedy and suspense, loaded with solid performances by its leading actors. Dominated by stellar performances from Angel Tompkins, Billy Curtis, and Jerry Maren, the movie captures interests right from the start and keeps the viewers engaged until the very end. Directed by Chris Christenberry, the film is a unique match of low budget production and high-premise idea, making itself a cult classic of the 70s in the American film industry. The screenplay, written by Louis Garfinkle and Friz Freleng, adds a distinctive allure to the movie with intricately woven storylines.

In Little Cigars, Angel Tompkins portrays the stunningly beautiful and manipulative femme fatale, Cleo. She's the alluring center of the narrative who knows how to use her physical attributes to get what she wants. Angel Tompkins' performance is noteworthy and gives the film a distinct appeal. Billy Curtis, on the other hand, plays the role of Charlie, the leader of a group called "Little Cigars Mob". Curtis, despite his small size, delivers a potent, commanding performance as the determined, serious, and tactical Charlie.

Jerry Maren embodies the character of Monti, a character that adds lighter notes to this intense narrative. Monti functions as a comic relief while also contributing significantly to the momentum of the film. The cast's collective performances create colorful yet realistic characters, making the storyline more engaging.

The movie revolves around an enterprising group known as the Little Cigars Mob. They are all little people, criminals who're continuously planning and executing heists, stealing everything from money to valuable artifacts. Their discreet operations and thus far successful exploits hinge substantially on their small size, which allows them to go largely unnoticed. Their lives take a dramatic turn when a stunning and manipulative woman, Cleo, enters their fold.

Eager to escape her involvement with a night club owner's murder, Cleo stumbles upon the Little Cigars Mob during a heist, and she decides to align herself with them. Quickly becoming their moll, she uses her beauty and cunning to help devise very crafty heists. Her entry adds a substantial shift in the group's dynamics and the narrative's progression. The suspense builds as viewers are left wondering whether Cleo is a blessing in disguise for the mob or a ticking time bomb waiting to detonate.

Set in various iconic locations, the cinematography of the film further enhances the progression of events. The direction artfully captures the high-stakes scenarios that the characters continuously find themselves in, maintaining a thrilling atmosphere throughout the film. The highs and lows in their crime spree journey are beautifully captured, packing an intense note of suspense and thrill.

An essential facet of Little Cigars is its remarkable blend of unusual comedy and suspense. The film’s humor derives tone from its one-of-a-kind's premise and character dynamics, like the mob's witty banter and camaraderie, Cleo's playful yet manipulative antics, and the series of absurd situations arising from the unlikely mix of characters. However, the seemingly light-hearted interactions often harbor underlying tension and suspense, prominently reflected when the mob conducts heists and deals with potential threats to their operation.

In essence, Little Cigars is an engaging, unorthodox crime flick from the 70s with its unique group of characters and thrilling plot progression. The narrative is peppered with humor, but it also maintains a constant undertone of tension and suspense, creating a captivating drama that holds its audience from beginning to end. The film is well-supported by the robust performances of Tompkins, Curtis, and Maren, who together bring life to an unconventional storyline, making it an intriguing watch.