Things I Do for Money

Things I Do for Money is an authentic indie crime thriller from Canada, directed and co-written by acclaimed filmmaker Warren P. Sonoda. The highly captivating movie was unveiled to the world in 2019, featuring an exciting and versatile cast including Theodor Aoki, Maximilian Aoki, and Yodit Tewoderos.

The plot pivots around Japanese-Canadian cello-playing brothers – Eli (played by Theodor Aoki) and Nick Yaguchi (played by Maximilian Aoki), who are talented musicians trying to make their mark in the world of classical music. While they've certainly got talent, making ends meet is a constant struggle. Their lives begin to shift when they get entangled in a shadowy world of criminal intrigue, underscoring the gritty reality that so often lives beneath the surface of even the most genteel pursuits.

Eli and Nick are third-generation Japanese-Canadians caught between two worlds in their picturesque hometown of Hamilton, Ontario – the regimented and disciplined world of classical music, and their family's legacy in the illegal activities that lurk in the underbelly of the city. The two worlds are stark contrasts, with classical music embodying discipline, dedication, and utmost refinement, while the criminal world symbolizes chaos, danger, and unpredictability.

The beauty of Things I Do for Money lies in its exploration of this contrasting theme using the brothers as vessels. We see the ethos of the musical world the pair navigate clash poignantly with the lawless world they're covertly sucked into. Recognizable notes of tension and drama underpin the brothers’ journey, skilfully painted by Sonoda’s vision and the performers' magnetic acting.

The film is simultaneously a character study, an exploration of family relationships, and a noirish crime thriller. The undercurrent of family dynamics, particularly sibling rivalry and love, provides a context of familiarity and depth to the narrative. The interaction between the brothers feels real, nuanced, and charged with a sibling dynamic viewers can connect with emotionally, making the characters more than just protagonists in a crime flick.

Theodor and Maximilian Aoki skillfully capture the essence of their characters, convincingly playing siblings entwined in a complex web of crime, violence, and struggle. As Eli and Nick, they breathe life into the narrative with impressive performances that blend intensity and subtleness. Their on-screen synergy is compelling and helps build a captivating dynamism in the unfolding plot. The brothers are joined by the impassioned Yodit Tewoderos who delivers a potent supporting role that serves as a catalyst in defining the brothers' journey.

Things I Do for Money is beautifully shot, with the cityscapes and intimate interiors of Hamilton contributing to the overall aesthetic and mood. The interplay of light and shadow in different scenes effectively underscores the tonal shifts between the refined world of classical music and the gritty ambiance of the criminal world. The music is also superbly incorporated, providing not just a background score but functioning as an integral part of the narrative.

The film is a masterclass in compelling storytelling, where tension, crime, and familial discord harmonize into a captivating symphony of human ambitions and the lengths people go to achieve them. It does a brilliant job of using the unconventional yet metaphor-rich backdrop of classical music to narrate a story that's as much about ambition, dreams, and relationships, as it is about crime and consequences.

At the heart of Things I Do for Money is the harsh reality that talented artists often struggle to make a living and the lengths they're willing to go to survive. It is a cinematic ode to the constant struggle of artists navigating an unforgiving world, trying to protect their dreams, and the choices they make when things spiral out of control. The movie acts as a mirror reflecting the struggles, the vulnerability, the resolve, and resilience of individuals swept into worlds they didn't choose, fighting battles they didn't start, with music and relationships as their only shields. It's brutally honest, stark, yet incredibly poetic in its storytelling, making it a deserving addition to the canon of crime-genre cinema.