Heist (DVD 2002)

This is my no. 1 heist film (an apt name). I find it more tense than Heat, darkly comic than The Italian Job (which is more camp comedy).
It's the plot and the dialogue ('Why did the Chicken cross the road? Because the Road crossed the Chicken.') that does it for me everytime. Everybody plays it cool without feeling the need to wear matching black suits and sun-glasses (a la Reservoir Dogs). It's true the twists keep comming, and the ending may be a downer for some (Though I found it very satisfying) - but if you're not up for that then perhaps you shouldn't be watching a Heist film - these things were built for Twists and Turns.

Hackman proves he's one of the greatest actors of all time kicking ass and spitting venom with the best of them (much like Clint Eastwood 35 years ago). Lindo is on top form and an equal sparring partner to Hackman. But it's in Devito's performance that you may find the bigest suprise. Those who've seen him from family films like Twins, Junior and Matilda may want to look away - He is just a right bad-ass in this film. There isn't an ounce of remorse in his character. It suprised me how nasty he can be.

Unfortunately it's never gotten the same attention as other lesser films (Ocean's 11/12). But it's a diamond in the rough, and at this price is a steal. If you're still undecided, I leave you with one of Hackman's lines:

'I tried to imagine a man smarter than myself. Then I tried to think, "What would he do?"'

It had the cast, director, and screenwriter and yet it still wasn't that good. In some ways it was, but only because i kept seeing a lot of potential in it that wasn't taken advantage of by the makers. It may have been Hollywood productaion pressure that messed up this film. I am pretty critical in general, though - so, if you are looking for some good action and thrills, this will probably be ok for you.
If you are a Heist fan, then it might be worth seeing; but you are better off watching the Warren Beatty film: "The Heist", also known as "Dollar$" or just "$". It is one of those forgotten 70's gems that never made it onto DVD, though and it is really hard to get on VHS, too. Maybe a bit easier in the States.
This Hackman version has weaknesses and all in the most important places. I think Mamet is over-rated, because of this and other things. The previous reviewer said that there were plenty of twists and turns, but there were so many for my liking that it all seemed like a joke in itself.
On the otherhand, it is better than a lot of other films these days and for two or three quid including postage, it seems a good deal.
A good point about the film was that it had a pretty realistic portrayal of how these professionals carry out there business. It was pretty slick in parts, but not without a few mistakes. I give this 5/10; 2.5/5.0, which is about 3/5. Anything less than 2.5 is not really worth seeing. This film is ok.
Hackman fans may like it, too. Mamet also did Wag the Dog, by the way.

This must be one of the greatest robbery thrillers ever made. It's got everything: a plot with more twists than a corkscrew, loads of double-crosses, a brilliant cast (Gene Hackman, Danne DeVito, Delroy Lindo), one of the top writer/directors (David Mamet), sex, violence and a brilliant heist plot. It's about an ageing professisonal thief - one of the best in the business - being forced to take part in a sensational robbery at the end of his career. A knockout!

Another old movie I missed the first time around as a result of extensive travel; Good cast and resonable plot which could have been spiced up a little but nevertheless kept me guessing the outcome throughout. A reasonable couple of hours entertainment.