THE TAX COLLECTORS

US, 2020, 95 minutes, Colour.
Bobby Soto, Cinthya Carmona, Shia La Boeuf, Jose Conejo Martin.
Directed by David Ayer.

This is a brutal film, a very brutal film.

The setting is Los Angeles, local gangsters, lowbrow Mafia-style. It is difficult to identify with any of the characters in terms of liking them. And, the increasingly violent behaviour is grisly and gory.

However, the film does open with a family, emphasis on family and loyalty, father devoted to his wife, a gentle scene where the young daughter has a loose tooth and the father is able to extract it, the rest of the family, the extended family gathering, celebration of a meal, prayer and grace before meals, religious icons in the house, the family helping to get the children to school.

Then David (Bobby Soto) goes to work, meeting up with his associate, Creeper (Shia La Boeuf). It soon emerges that they are the title characters, going on their rounds to collect payment, protection money, with a range of success, clients generally complying, small businesses. They get a cut of the money but handed over to the bosses.

The tone of the film changes for the more brutal when former bosses (and it is revealed that David and Creeper have robbed a bank in the past and hoarded money) step in and become extortionate. They are extremely violent towards Creeper, torturing him, killing him. They confront David who escapes, going back home, concerned about his wife and children, getting them to pack and leave.

There are also his connections and friendships, especially with a young woman, from his business.

He discovers that his wife has been killed brutally, his children abducted.

There is a buildup to a bloodied confrontation, David going to an old friend who has liked him, supported him, gathers some followers so that they can raid the headquarters of the abductors. And a shootout. But, David emerges with his friend, opting to move on with his life and children…

The film was directed by David Ayer who also wrote the screenplay, who has written and produced a number of strong and violent police films, Dark Blue, Training Day, Harsh Times, End of Watch, SWAT as well as directing war film, Fury, and the DC comics film Suicide Squad.

Interest and appeal only for those who like very violent action films.