Just days following special screenings of John Lee Hancock's crime thriller The Little Things, critics began expressing their views on the leading actors, including Egyptian-American Rami Malek.

Starring Oscar winners - Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto - the film has its official release in the United States and on the HBO Max streaming service set on 29 January 2021.

Washington and Leto are the already well established giants of cinema, while young Egyptian-American actor Rami Malek is working hard to follow on their footsteps.

The plot of The Little Things features two police officers (Washington as Joe 'Deke' Deacon and Malek as Jim Baxter) who try to catch a serial killer (Leto as Albert Sparma) in 1990s Los Angeles.

The film is yet to receive the viewers' reviews, however some critics already express their opinions about the film and the actors. While some praise the trio, others point to the flaws resulting from the script and director (both by Lee Hancock).

For his role, Rami Malek is praised by Pete Hammond writing for Deadline, a magazine providing all news and reviews about Hollywood productions. "Malek finds a worthy follow-up to his Oscar win a couple of years ago, with a portrait of a man who might be losing a grip on what he always thought he knew. He is excellent."

Equally positive review appears in Sonic Cinema where reviewer Brian Skutle calls Malek to be "an interesting choice for Baxter - who’s put himself in the spotlight with this case - but he and Washington are a strong pairing. And they both do well opposite Jared Leto as Albert Sparma, who is a key suspect in the case."

 

"Seeing Denzel Washington and Rami Malek together here certainly makes one want to see them pair up again on something with more meat on its bones, and the two actors do what they can with the material. As hokey as it can be to see a grizzled cop pin crime reports to his wall and stare at them for hours, Washington has the gravitas to prevent you from snickering; and Malek has the slick attitude and determination that the role of Baxter requires," writes Eric Eisenberg for Cinema Blend.

In Cinema Babel, Garreth Eberhardt calls Malek "at his best near the film’s end as he becomes evermore consumed with nabbing Sparma." He also adds that "Any film featuring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto would draw at least some interest just to see the trio act together and the ensemble doesn’t disappoint. Watching this film breaks no new ground, but it’s an enjoyable night at the movies watching some of the best working actors do their thing on screen."

Nate Adams from The Only Critic also sheds light on Washington and Malek saying that the actors "find common ground in their hunt for a serial killer with a young, defenseless woman appetite." He continues however that "Despite Washington and Malek essentially coasting through the film's cheesier elements (one central interrogation sequence is borderline laughable), The Little Things doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a film destined for late night cable where it’s discovered at 11pm on a Friday and you have nothing better to do."

UK Film Review wants to see more depth in The Little Things, a fact which reflects on the strength of the characters and actors's performance. The reviewer Hope Madden writes, "Malek’s characterization of the by-the-books half of this duo is curiously manic, and Hancock spends frustratingly little time digging into Baxter’s motivation. Still, Malek and Washington offer quick chemistry that gives their scenes some depth. Leto delivers a characteristically tic-heavy performance—perhaps also a tad overdone. Both he and Malek help generate a little energy with their accumulated weirdness, but it’s not enough to overcome the film’s general lack of momentum or purpose."

And again, Adrian Smith from Movies and Mania blame the script and the director (both by John Lee Hancock) writing that "It’s disappointing to see a triad of talented actors like Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto wasted in The Little Things, a straightforward and seldom surprising murder-mystery." 

Same thought is expressed by Laura Clifford in Reeling Reviews: "The film’s climax is beautifully shot but a narrative letdown. In addition to Washington and Malek’s less than engrossing characters."

The Little Things scored 47/100 on Rotten Tomatoes, a popular quality measuring website for entertainment industry's productions. The score given by the viewers is not yet known.

As for the viewers' input, so far, we have a few comments posted on IMDb with many reviewers applauding the film and the actors: "The Little Things is your basic Denzel Washington movie...terrific! The acting from everyone is fantastic, especially Denzel, Leto and Malek! Those three are amazing as usual! I absolutely recommend this movie!" one reviewer posts.

Another IMDb reviewer however had a more negative approach commenting that "Denzel Washington and Jared Leto were both awesome. However, Rami Malek was a disappointment. His performance was bland and unbelievable, I had a feeling like he really didn't want to be in this movie." 

Rami Said Malek was born in 1981 in Los Angeles, to an Egyptian Coptic Orthodox family which emigrated to the United States in late 1970s.

He is best known for his performances as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, for which he won an Oscar in 2019. The same role brought him Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, British BAFTA award, among others.

Prior to Bohemian Rhapsody, Malek caught the American film industry's attention for his role as hacker Elliot Alderson in Mr. Robot, for which he won Primetime Emmy Awards and Critics Choice Television Awards (2016).

Earlier this month, Malek joined the cast of David O. Russell’s upcoming movie at New Regency, a Los Angeles studio-based film production company. Presented on IMDb as "Untitled David O. Russell Project", the film also stars Zoe Saldana, Robert de Niro, Anya Taylor-Joy, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, among others.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture