Easy Money: Hard to Kill 2014
Directed by
Babak Najafi
Made by
Cinedigm
Plot Summary
After serving three long years for drug trafficking, JW finally secures his parole. Unfortunately, he finds himself alienated from his family as his parents and former girlfriend Sophie cease all contact. Yet, amidst this loneliness, he forms a profound bond with the now paraplegic Mrado. Driven by the ambition to profit from a software he developed during his incarceration, JW encounters betrayal when his business partner and old classmate, Nippe, steals his work and claims it as his own. In a fit of rage, JW confronts Nippe, leading to a violent altercation, and soon after, reaches out to Mrado for help. Together, they plot an audacious scheme: to kidnap Misha Bladman, the numbers man for the Serbian mob boss Radovan, hoping to extract the location of a fortune he guards.
In a parallel storyline, Jorge finds himself caught in a precarious pact with the same Serbian gangsters, only to misfortune befall him as he crashes a car carrying their drugs. His subsequent attempt to seize their money goes awry, but he is fortuitously aided by Nadja, a fellow escapee from servitude. Through a brutal encounter, they manage to outsmart the gangsters, leaving them dead amidst the chaos. On his trail is Mahmoud, a childhood friend of Jorge’s and a former coworker of JW. Reluctantly, Mahmoud follows Jorge to his recently deceased mother Rosita’s home, where a tragic misunderstanding leads him to inadvertently shoot Nadja. In the ensuing frantic moments, Jorge makes a daring leap from the balcony, leaving Mahmoud to retrieve the cash and draw Radovan’s attention.
As the Serbian mob plans the delivery of the stolen cash, JW and Mrado put their kidnapping plan into action. Tension escalates when they reach Bladman’s residence and Mrado resorts to torture to extract crucial information. In a twist of fate, they encounter Mahmoud and his accomplice Ratko, leading to a violent confrontation where JW inadvertently takes the life of Mahmoud, not realizing he is his old friend until it’s too late. In the chaotic melee, JW and Mrado manage to eliminate Ratko and seize the money, but in doing so, Mrado sustains a fatal injury.
In his final moments, Mrado entrusts JW with a heart-wrenching request to pass a message to his daughter Lovisa, though fate intervenes, preventing JW from delivering the note. As Mrado’s life fades away, he hallucinates a meeting with Lovisa. Meanwhile, Jorge and Nadja, albeit injured, manage to evade their captures, receiving timely medical assistance. As they are taken away in an ambulance, JW takes a moment to read Mrado’s note and then takes the grim step of incinerating the van that carried Mrado’s lifeless body, walking away with the ill-gotten gains.
Timeline
JW's Parole
After serving three long years for drug trafficking, JW finally secures his release on parole. This moment marks the beginning of a challenging reintegration into a world that has moved on without him.
Alienation from Family
Upon his release, JW finds himself alienated from his family. His parents and former girlfriend, Sophie, have ceased all contact, leaving him feeling isolated and abandoned.
Bond with Mrado
Despite his loneliness, JW forms a profound bond with Mrado, who is now paraplegic. Their friendship provides JW with a sense of companionship and support as he navigates life post-prison.
The Betrayal
Driven by ambition, JW aims to profit from a software he created during his incarceration. However, when his old classmate, Nippe, betrays him by stealing his work, JW is filled with rage and determination to confront him.
Confrontation with Nippe
In a fit of rage, JW confronts Nippe about the betrayal, resulting in a violent altercation. This confrontation fuels JW's desperation and leads him to seek Mrado's assistance.
Kidnapping Plan
JW and Mrado devise a plan to kidnap Misha Bladman, who works for the Serbian mob. Their intention is to extract information regarding a hidden fortune that Misha guards.
Jorge's Trouble
Meanwhile, Jorge finds himself in a precarious situation with the Serbian gangsters. After crashing a car containing their drugs, he tries to recover their money but is thwarted at every turn.
Aid from Nadja
During his chaotic struggle, Jorge receives unexpected help from Nadja, an escapee from servitude. Together, they manage to outwit the gangsters and leave them dead as they flee.
Misunderstanding with Mahmoud
Mahmoud, following Jorge, inadvertently shoots Nadja during a tragic misunderstanding. This pivotal moment alters the course of their fates and adds to the chaos that ensues.
Tension Escalates
As JW and Mrado prepare to execute their kidnapping plan, tensions rise when they reach Misha's residence. Mrado resorts to torture during the interrogation to extract vital information.
Confrontation with Mahmoud
During the kidnapping, a violent confrontation occurs when JW encounters Mahmoud. Unaware of their past connection, JW accidentally kills Mahmoud, leading to profound regret.
Mrado's Fatal Injury
In the aftermath of the chaotic encounter, JW and Mrado successfully eliminate Ratko and seize the money. However, Mrado is critically injured in the process, leading to a heartbreaking fate.
Final Request
As Mrado lies dying, he entrusts JW with a heart-wrenching request to send a message to his daughter Lovisa. Unfortunately, fate intervenes, preventing JW from delivering this important note.
Escape of Jorge and Nadja
Despite their injuries, Jorge and Nadja manage to escape the gangsters, receiving medical assistance just in time. Their survival gives them a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.
Incineration of the Van
In a final act of desperation, JW decides to incinerate the van that contained Mrado's lifeless body. As he walks away with the money, the weight of his actions begins to settle in.
Characters
JW
JW is a complex character striving for redemption after serving time for drug trafficking. He faces alienation from his loved ones, which deepens his desperation. His relationship with Mrado evolves from simplicity to profound interdependence as they both navigate the treacherous waters of the underworld.
Mrado
Mrado is a paraplegic with a checkered past who becomes a critical figure in JW's journey. Despite his physical limitations, he shows immense resilience and resourcefulness. His relationship with JW becomes a source of emotional grounding and motivation, making his eventual fate all the more tragic.
Nadja
Nadja emerges as a fierce ally during times of peril, showcasing bravery and a strong survival instinct. She helps Jorge escape from dire circumstances, highlighting her resourcefulness and adaptability in crisis. Her character embodies hope and the will to fight against the odds.
Mahmoud
Mahmoud is portrayed as a conflicted character caught between past friendships and present-day dangers. His involvement in the plot reveals the intertwining fates of the characters, leading to devastating consequences. His emotional turmoil adds layers to the narrative as he navigates loyalty and guilt.
Setting
Time period
The movie spans the modern-day landscape of drug trafficking and organized crime. It explores contemporary issues of betrayal, desperation, and violence, resonating with current societal themes surrounding crime and survival.
Location
Bladman's residence
Bladman's residence is a key location in the movie, representing both luxury and peril. It is here that the high-stakes confrontation takes place between JW, Mrado, and the Serbian mob. The location is a catalyst for pivotal plot points, showcasing the dangerous intertwining of lives involved in crime.
Themes
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Friendship
The bond between JW and Mrado highlights the theme of friendship in dire circumstances. Despite their personal struggles, they rely on each other to navigate a treacherous path, showcasing loyalty and trust amidst betrayal. The poignancy of their relationship underscores the impact of companionship in dark times.
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Loss
Loss permeates the narrative, as characters grapple with personal tragedies and missed connections. Mrado's relationship with his daughter adds emotional depth, revealing the pain of unfulfilled promises and the scars left by violence. This theme resonates strongly as characters face the consequences of their choices.
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Violence
Violence is a recurring motif that shapes the characters' destinies. The film graphically portrays the brutality of the criminal underworld and the inevitable consequences of a life steeped in crime. This theme explores how quickly violence can escalate and alter lives irrevocably.
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