“The Little Things”

(USA)

Metacritic (5/10), Rotten Tomatoes (**+)

Cop-with-a-past thrillers centered on resolving cold cases may have provided some intriguing entertainment options in the past, but, over time, they have become so clichéd that it makes one wonder “What’s the point?”, as is the case with this latest lackluster addition to the genre. Its formulaic approach, uninteresting and unengaging story line, and plot twists that are easily spotted from a distance epitomize the triteness that has come to characterize many recent films of this ilk. And, despite a seemingly stellar cast, the performances leave much to be desired; Denzel Washington and Rami Malek could have phoned in their portrayals, and Jared Leto’s much-heralded but overrated performance is capable enough in spite of the implausibly written lines he’s called upon to deliver. If movies of this type are your thing, you might find it enjoyable, even though it pales in comparison to many of its much better predecessors. And, if such offerings are not high on your list of preferences, there’s no point in tuning in for this one.