The Tax Collector

The Tax Collector is a gritty, often grim crime drama-thriller released in 2020. Directed by David Ayer, known for his flair in creating raw and unfiltered spectacles of the urban underbelly, this film brings together an interesting mix of talent including Bobby Soto, Cinthya Carmona, and star performer Shia LaBeouf.

Structured around the lives of two 'tax collectors' in the gritty streets of Los Angeles, the movie paints an intricate picture of organized crime, familial ties, and ironclad loyalties. Bobby Soto plays David, the main protagonist, who, alongside his partner Creeper (played by Shia LaBeouf), works for a crime lord named Wizard. Their job is to collect money from various gangs operating in the city, a 'tax' for the protection that Wizard's organization provides. David's life is more than his job, as he is also a family man deeply committed to his wife Alexis (played by Cinthya Carmona) and his two children, leading a life teetering between two starkly juxtaposed worlds.

Theirs is a world full of brutality and ruthlessness punctuated by moments of humanity, mainly displayed in the relative tranquility of David's home life. Bobby Soto delivers a noteworthy performance portraying a man who is both a hard-edged debt collector and a caring family man. Shia LaBeouf's performance as the tattooed and intimidating Creeper is another highlight, further bolstering his reputation as a versatile actor able to tackle diverse roles.

The dynamic between David and Creeper forms the crux of the story. They're not just business associates, but also friends and brothers in arms until death. However, their lifestyles and responsibilities set them on a collision course contraposed by their dual existence. It's the arrival of an old threat that sets the real action of the story in motion and forces these characters to confront a world that promises to take everything away from them.

Ayer's filming style gives the movie a raw, almost documentary-like look at the life of crime. He employs his well-proven formula of giving the audience an inside look into the world of individuals that society often marginalizes. This well-trodden path offers a familiar thematic terrain for Ayer, recalling memories of his previous work - the celebrated 'End of Watch'.

The movie vividly captures the urban battlefield that is the backdrop to this story, enhancing it with a distinctive sound design and original music score that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The contrast between David's life with his family, filled with love, warmth, and laughter, against his dark, violent work life is striking and taste fully done.

Cinthya Carmona, playing David's wife, perfectly complements Soto's performance as a woman torn between her love for her husband and the danger his work brings to their doorstep. She projects strength, determination, and a certain grounded reality that ties the narrative and empathically relays the impact of violence on families and communities.

Though characterized as a crime drama, The Tax Collector resonates with elements of a thriller, showcasing a slow build-up of tension that crescendos into aptly choreographed action sequences. The violent world of gang dynamics, territorial claims, and power struggles is realistically drawn into the narrative, buoyed by a portrayal of street-level grittiness that is carefully avoided from being overly glamorized.

With a running time of 95 minutes, The Tax Collector moves at a brisk pace, carrying the audience along the treacherous journey of its characters and their struggles. Despite its sometimes bloody and brutal portrayal of LA's crime scene, the movie doesn't shy away from showcasing the emotional subtleties and personal tragedies that arise from such a life.

In conclusion, The Tax Collector is a film grounded in its exploration of the complex dynamics of crime, loyalty, and family under extreme circumstances. Rich with vivid, hard-hitting performances from its lead actors, the film is a testament to the struggles of the marginalized who are caught within the sphere of organized crime. It promises an intense brooding journey flanked by bursts of adrenaline-pumping action that fans of gritty urban dramas will appreciate. As much a roundhouse punch as a love letter to LA's sprawling urban battlegrounds, it is a must-watch for fans of unapologetically raw and realist cinema.