Wolfs review: George Clooney and Brad Pitt reunite in ‘genial’ crime caper

If you’ve ever wanted to see George Clooney and Brad Pitt in a light-hearted crime comedy where they play off each other’s aging quirks while remaining effortlessly stylish, “Wolfs” might just be your cup of tea. Directed and written by Jon Watts, known for his work on Tom Holland’s Spider-Man trilogy, this film reunites the stars of “Ocean’s Eleven” in a laid-back yet somewhat lackluster caper. While their camaraderie offers a nostalgic throwback, the movie itself lacks the punch one might hope for.

In “Wolfs,” Clooney portrays a seasoned underworld fixer, a shadowy figure adept at erasing problems with a wave of his hand. His skills are put to the test when a district attorney (Amy Ryan) has a mishap at a posh New York hotel. After a night involving a younger man (Austin Abrams) who ends up dead from a fall, Clooney is summoned to clean up the mess. Just as he arrives, another fixer—played by Pitt—shows up, claiming he’s equally irreplaceable.

The plot thickens when it’s revealed that the two fixers have been double-booked for the same job. Their initial annoyance at having to collaborate grows as they discover the young man in question is not only alive but also carrying a backpack full of stolen drugs. The fixers are then tasked with locating the drugs’ rightful owners while navigating their mutual irritation and frequent bickering.

Jon Watts seems to have hoped that the star power and chemistry between Clooney and Pitt would be enough to carry the film. While “Wolfs” evokes a sense of nostalgia for classic buddy-cop comedies like “Midnight Run” and “48 Hrs.,” it falls short of capturing the energetic clash of personalities that fueled those 1980s hits. Instead, the film’s humor largely revolves around the fact that Clooney and Pitt, both in their 60s, are more alike than they care to admit. This dynamic is humorously highlighted when they realize they share similar wardrobes, habits, and even health issues, like bad backs and reading glasses. Yet, despite this endearing aspect, the film struggles to generate significant comedic or dramatic tension.

Premiering at the Venice Film Festival before its Apple+ release, “Wolfs” is a pleasant enough watch but ultimately forgettable. Its pacing is slow, and the plot lacks the twists and turns typically expected from such a genre. The story meanders through a series of predictable scenarios, including some vague references to Albanian gangsters, without ever delving deeply into any of the characters or their backgrounds.

The film’s heroes, Clooney and Pitt, play their roles with a reserved charm, but they come off as more subdued than dynamic. Pitt’s character is the cheekier of the two, while Clooney’s is more gruff, yet their interactions rarely rise above mild disagreements and restrained banter. The film’s lack of substantial narrative and character development leaves many questions unanswered about the district attorney, the drug dealers, and the fixers’ shadowy intermediaries.

The overall effect of “Wolfs” is that of a leisurely stroll through a somewhat clichéd plot. The film’s relaxed approach to storytelling might be intentional, aiming to highlight the effortless charisma of its leads rather than drive a complex narrative. However, this approach can come off as lackluster, leaving viewers with a sense of unfulfilled potential.

If Jon Watts does have plans for a sequel, there’s hope that it might bring more energy and depth to the story. For now, “Wolfs” remains a genial, if slightly uninspired, entry into the crime comedy genre.