Written and directed by Bari Kang, The Scrapper features Bari Kang as Jake, a Punjabi American small-time crook struggling to provide for his family. Following a botched job, Jake is pursued by criminals from all sides, forcing him to fight back in order to earn a fresh start.
Underdog stories featuring protagonists who succeed despite towering odds against them are always a charm to experience and The Scrapper manages to win by a long shot in this regard. With the main protagonist desperate to provide for his struggling family, the story takes several twists and turns, each new twist investing us further and further into this seedy underworld of shadowy mob bosses and unflinching, brutal hitmen.
The direction is above average and the brisk pacing keeps things from getting stale. Kang shows prowess in all the departments from writing to acting as his alter ego Jake, slowly plots his revenge against the criminal overlords who have threatened to upend his whole life. The cinematography is another aspect of the production that deserves special acclaim. From dark alleyways where shady deals go down to dimly lit rooms occupied by dangerous men, every frame of the film speaks to the overarching narrative at hand. The score is pulse pounding, working its magic in the background as it elevates every single scene of the film.
A brutal look into the underground world of crime syndicates, The Scrapper is anchored by good performances and a likable protagonist whose emotional depth drives us to root for his success. Featuring plenty of violence and a battery of detestable villains, the film swings for the fences and succeeds in presenting a well-made, gritty crime thriller. Kang, micromanaging several different aspects of the production, has done a commendable job bringing this story to life and we can only hope that he is just getting started, with more unique projects down the line in his future.
3.0 / 4.0 stars
