| Heist |
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| 1/2 |
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| Rating: Mixed Distributor: Warner Brothers Release Date: November 9th, 2001 (wide) MPAA Rating: R Running Length: 1 hour, 49 minutes Genre: Drama Director: David Mamet Cast: Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, Delroy Lindo, Sam Rockwell, Rebecca Pidgeon and Ricky Jay. |
| Plot: A seasoned old thief (Gene Hackman) wants to retire, and spend the rest of his life in Argentina, with his young wife (Rebecca Pidgeon). However, his employer (Danny DeVito) is holding out for one more job, and the protagonist does not have enough cash to retire. Along with his old team, the thief must take along a young man who works for the thief's employer. The plot takes a dozen or so twists that usually include double and tripple crossing. |
| Critique: Like David Mamet's last effort, State and Main, Heist starts well, but loses steam and falls apart. Although the film boasts Mamet's signature snappy dialogue, it is drowned by mediocre storytelling. The film has a twist and turn too many, about one per minute. Thus, it quickly grows tiresome. The film's storyline is vague and unconvincing, and fails to register very much on the excitement and entertainment meter. Nonetheless, Mamet's characters are certainly crafted at a higher level than in State and Main. Also, Mamet doesn't allow his protagonist to do enough brilliant deeds to support the storm of similes that his assitants heave on him in a continuous storm. The reason lies in the structure of the plot, which gives Hackman's character a solid amount of mistakes. The lead character never has any strength, and perhaps that's one of the reasons the film is not as strong as fellow caper The Score. The Score avoids the self-important tone that Heist approaches. With a more humble feeling The Score was more affecting and genuine. Both films have very similar plots, although neither were the first to implement the "seaoned veteran thief's last stand" premise. Heist promises dramatic tension, and thrilling suspense, but is unable to deliver in those respects. The film is so caught up in attempting to set a record in plot twists that it forgets about quality. Mamet become lost in his own shallow web, and forgot his original intent. Additionally, the picture becomes too violent for its own good; it leaves characters who are no longer particularly appealing in a dirty mess. Mamet calls all this an ending, but it's obvious that he was unable to produce a satisfying climax and finish. The film leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. Heist has its positive moments, most of which include character banter. However, for the most part it is a disappointing, and seldom affecting motion picture. I do not recommend Heist; it does not fulfill its promises. review by supernothingman |
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| picture above from heist.warnerbros.com |