The truth is, Mr. Farina would be considered Oscar material if "Joe May" were a bigger film. As it is, he'll have to settle for being great.
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IndieWireEric Kohn
IndieWireEric Kohn
Dennis Farina's washed-up hustler in The Last Rites of Joe May is designed in the in the mold of a classic movie star tough guy, but the veteran character actor's performance also serves to disassemble it.
Mr. Maggio's strengths here are his people (not their stories), a sense of intimacy and textured place rather than the generic hoops he forces the characters to jump through.
63
Slant MagazineGlenn Heath Jr.
Slant MagazineGlenn Heath Jr.
Watching Dennis Farina dominate every scene is a joy, and thankfully the actor makes the most of this opportunity.
60
Village VoiceNick Pinkerton
Village VoiceNick Pinkerton
Farina is un-self-conscious and true enough to alchemize cliché.