ARKANSAS

US, 2020, 117 minutes, Colour.

Vince Vaughn, Liam Hemsworth, Clark Duke, John Malkovich, Vivica A. Fox, Barry Primus, Chandler Duke, Michael Kenneth Williams, Eden Brolin.
Directed by Clark Duke.

The original title of this film is Arkansas, a focus on the state, action taking place there and extending into neighbouring states like Louisiana and Oklahoma. However, for some international release, it received the title The Crime Boss.

The film was written and directed by actor, Clark Duke, who also appears in the central role of Swing, a would-be criminal, drug dealer, dependent on his friendship with a more authoritative partner, Kyle (Liam Hemsworth). Swing has a way with words and expressions which makes his character quite distinctive.

The film is told in explicit chapters, sometimes focusing on the partners, at other times focusing on a mysterious character, called Frog, a master drug-dealer. He is played, with sinister overtones often-smiling face, by Vince Vaughn.

The film does move backwards and forwards in time, especially when it gives the background story for Frog and his emerging into the big time of drug dealing in the area and his control of various dealers.

A surprise in the first part of the film is the appearance by John Malkovich as a local trooper but revealed as heavily involved in the drug business, busting the two young men, then employing them, linking them with Frog whom they have never met, but the trooper then falling foul of thug killers.

There are a number of character actors in supporting roles as drug dealers, Michael Kenneth Williams, Barry Primus, Vivika A Fox.

It all builds up to confrontation, vicious fights, deaths.

Familiar material in its way, but a range of interesting performances, complex plot lines…



1. The title? An alternate title, the Crime Boss?

2. The locations in the American south, Arkansas, Louisiana, towns, mansions, communities, bars, drug warehouses…? The musical score?

3. The screenplay divided into chapters, the different focuses on characters, interconnections? The work of Clark Duke as writer, Dir, actor?

4. The introduction to Kyle, loner, self-assured, dealing drugs, encounter with Swing, the partnership, their working together, receiving orders, from Frog whom they never see, from Her whom they meet? Moving the drugs, the encounter with ranger Bright, smart, his turning the tables, taking them in, employing them, their work, their assignments?

5. Bright, a turn by John Malkovich, authority, his centre, drugs, his manner? The thug’s coming, the confrontation, the torture, his death, Kyle and Swing finding the body, burying it, telling the false story?

6. The introduction to Frog, his shop, old stuff, Kyle and Swing visiting? Their not knowing who he was?

7. The flashback, frogs career, as a Wheeler dealer, sales, the encounter with Armond, their discussions, checked out, Armond employing Frog, a weeks test, success, his wanting to do more, Armond’s caution? The buildup of the empire? His betrayal, phoning the police, Armond’s arrest and imprisonment? Frogs takeover and prosperity, the range of underlings, the encounter with the young twins and their work, employing them, keeping them with him over the years, their loyalty?

8. Kyle and swing, the continued activities, the visit to Her and her personality and domination?

9. Frog, settling locally, is using of Kyle and Swing, the greater realisation of who he was?

10. The buildup to confrontations, the twins, the attack on Kyle and Swing, Swing’s death, the violence of the twins, Kyle and his injuries, the comeuppance, and a violent ending?

11. And cycles beginning again?