'' Killing Them Softly '' is a 2012 American neo-noir black comedy gangster film directed by Andrew Dominik and starring Brad Pitt , based on George V. Higgins ' novel '' Cogan 's Trade '' ( 1974 ) . On May 22 , 2012 , the film premiered in competition for the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival and received positive early reviews . The film is about three small-time crooks who rob a Mob-protected illegal gambling operation , which prompts the Mob to send in two hitmen , Jackie ( Pitt ) and Mickey ( James Gandolfini ) , to deal with the perpetrators
2012 Cannes Film Festival
2012 Cannes Film Festival
Killing Them Softly