The Italian Job
Cast
Mark Wahlberg as Charlie Croker
Charlize Theron as Stella Bridger
Donald Sutherland as John Bridger
Jason Statham as Handsome Rob
Seth Green as Lyle
Edward Norton as Steve
Directed by
F. Gary Gray
Rater #2 has description and review.
Rater #1
Has Not Seen Movie
Rater #2
7/10. Move over, Sharon Stone! Somebody who was once at the top of their
game is now reduced to this. Yes, I'm talking to you, Charlize
Theron. Of course, it isn't as bad as an amorous night with the
little AOL man, but when you're second billed to MARK WAHLBERG, your
career's in hock. Although when other actors such as Seth Green,
Donald Sutherland, and Jason Statham, you can look and see that it's
not all bad.
What I'm talking about it The Italian Job, F. Gary Gray's addition to
the ever-popular genre of heist movies. In fact, Gray is a big fan of
these type of movies, naming Snatch the greatest heist flick ever.
Unlike straight heist films like Heist, The Italian Job has humor and
takes itself more humorously. Of course we don't understand
everything that the computer whiz/geek Lyle says, but neither do the
people in the movie, adding to the mocking tone of the movie. It's
not exactly a parody of crime movies, just an homage.
Donald Sutherland must have been aching for a paycheck. He stars as
John Bridger, an aging thief who is doing�guess�one last job! Clich�s
run high, but so does fun (I'll get to that later). He's with his
team doing a job in Italy, and they successfully steal about $35
million. One of the team, Steve (Edward Norton) turns against them,
shoots and kills John, and runs off with the gold. The rest of the
crew plan to steal the gold from Steve because of revenge, including
Stella, John's daughter.
PT Cruisers used to be the fad car, but now Mini Coopers are becoming
steadily more popular. Thanks to The Italian Job, where everyone
drives one, that is. The car chases weren't that many, but the
culminating one was great. When three Minis were driving on the
subway tracks, it was just amazing, I really loved it. Of course,
there was a lot of advertising. It's basically a two-hour car
commercial, with a few Pepsi ads added in.
However, there's an interesting note I found. Wahlberg, who plays
Charlie, the ringleader, said that The Italian Job had some of the
most amazing special effects he had ever seen, while Norton repeated
several times that he joined this movie only because of contractual
agreements. Wahlberg is most definitely not a leading man�his
acting's like a log on a stream. It starts off high but then falls
down. Theron, who plays a beautiful safecracker, also isn't that
great of an actress. When the high point of your career is a RECENT
Woody Allen film, you're in trouble. Norton, my second favorite
actor, heaps on the camp, but still doesn't come off that well. Other
actors, including Mos Def, Stathem, and Green, were all funny,
especially Green.
The Italian Job is very fun and entertaining, but can't stay away
from clich�s. Sutherland does one last move, Norton has a moustache,
Green is geeky, Theron is beautiful, there's a token African-
American. Also, the ending is more predictable than, well, a Disney
movie. Overall, The Italian Job is a fun two hours. If you're looking
for more than that, stay away.
Rater #3
Has Not Seen Movie.
Rater #4
Has Not Seen Movie.
Rated PG-13 for violence and some language.
Running time: 104 minutes
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