Andrew Dominik returns with Killing Them Softly, his followup to The Assassination of Jesse James and second straight film featuring Brad Pitt. The differences between the two are night and day, however Killing Them Softly reaffirms the talent present in this collaboration, as what the pair delivers borders on the masterful; a modern-day crime marvel, a stark commentary on America through the lens of crime.

Killing Them Softly is a perfect title. Yet the film hits hard, blending brutal violence and stunning imagery with a cynical sense of humor that perfectly captures the mean side of America. Adapted from George V. Higgins’ Cogan’s Trade, the film is unlike any modern-day crime film, yet perfectly captures all that is great and powerful about them. With a first act focusing on small-time criminals Frankie and Russell (Scoot McNairy and Ben Mendelsohn), Pitt takes over for the final two acts in commanding fashion, as these three actors play just a few of the many interesting, unique characters we meet along the way.

When Frankie and Russell rob a mob-protected poker game, they expect local gangster Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta) to take the fall. But the mob brings in Jackie Cogan (Pitt) to get answers, setting the story into motion in brutal fashion. Jackie brings up long-time mobster Micky (James Gandolfini), whose drunken ways and broken marriage bring along a whole new element to the proceedings. With pressure from his bosses – Richard Jenkins plays the mediator between the bosses and the crooks – Jackie has to clean everything up.

With his usual keen eye for composing a shot, Dominik and cinematographer Greig Fraser blend bone-crushing, brutal violence with footage of Barack Obama and George W. Bush to great effect. With wide-lens shots, extreme slow-motion, and even a feverish depiction of a heroin high, Killing Them Softly is as impeccably crafted as it is well-told. With shotguns blasting out in dead silence, and the nauseating sound of blood dripping on pavement, Dominik employs sound and visuals to equal effect.

As with The Assassination of Jesse James, story is not enough for Dominik, who builds up an underlying commentary on the state of America from the opening moments as it builds to a final scene that hits as hard as the scenes of violence which proceed it. Performance-wise, Killing Them Softly is top-notch. To match Pitt’s quiet power, McNairy and Mendelsohn’s manic, unpredictable performances are outstanding. Gandolfini and Jenkins are also terrific in rather small roles, adding to the colorful mosaic of characters.

With a brutal punch to match even its more violent scenes, Killing Them Softly has an underlying commentary on the state of America that, while perhaps a little too on the nose, accompanies this tale of crime nicely. Stunning direction and terrific performances prove that the film is more than capable of making this more than merely a political commentary, instead what we’re left with is an allegorical stunner on the recession-era crime business.

Grade: A

Rated: R (for violence, sexual references, pervasive language, and some drug use)

Killing Them Softly opens in theaters on November 30, 2012.