Apr

13

I assume many of you know about the commendably and excruciatingly watchable "Bank Job".It is involving from the jump (in the early 1980s, UK) to dénouement.

Terry (two-day beard tough guy Jason Statham), a car-repair minor player in constant hock and debt to bigger petty criminals in London, gets offered the chance of a ‘quick-take’ bank robbery that dangles the possibility of living the better life, courtesy the temptress, ripe ex-lover Martine Love, though Terry has the presence of mind to distrust her contacts and motivation, as they say in acting class. There is far more to the plot than a simple burrow into an unremarkable safe-deposit vault and hauling off the consequent goodies.

His motley band of inexperienced mates don’t reckon on the higher-ups who are remotely assisting them in the expectation that they’ll secure some extremely compromising photos that had better not come to light. The ever- oleaginous and fecund David Suchet adds another sweaty ruby to his host of memorable skeaves with attitude. SAffron Burrows is suitably stunning as the silky ex-model babe in the stylized coveralls. Director Donaldson keeps the action taut, the conversation deftly scoundrel-red, and the upstairs/downstairs worrying at a strung-out high-wire tension.

The acting is first-rate, the story unbelievable, but made all the more enjoyable when you realize it is a true story. More to it than just a highly unlikely heist, but exquisite women, moments of humor, high dudgeon, cops-‘n’-robbers, a tinge of scandal, Parliamentary misbehaving–all the ingredients for a great stew of an entertainment.

Few special effects, gritty cinematography, manly men and womanly women. Even my CCC (cautiously critical companion) remarked what a refreshingly bracing experience it was. The best movie-movie I’ve seen in a batch. People with a long memory will be able to hazily recall the actual story and high-class to-do from thee decades ago. Bumper suspense, lots of back-story, changes of venue, exotic politics, going back to naughty times that bring you right up to our former gubernatorial cash-and-carry Spitzer hi-jinks.


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  1. steve leslie on April 13, 2008 8:28 pm

    Your work here is excellent as always and very fair in my view. The challenge in reviewing this movie is discussing it without giving away the subtleties and the intrigue. To do so would rob the viewer of its true elegance. You did this magnificently. It is tough, gritty and hard hitting. There is not a lot of tricky camera work, nor special effects, that of which you would see in The Bourne Trilogy or the most recent of the James Bond films, Casino Royale. It is more of a throwback to an earlier era where actors had to carry the movie and not high tech special effects. It's on location filming is classic British in theme. It reminded me of the British movies of the 1980's. The only problem I had with it is the all-British cast of which I am unfamiliar and which made it a bit hard to follow due to the language barrier. Jason Statham is on his way as a serious actor. This is by far his best performance in a lead acting role. He continues to build upon his previous work. His rugged persona, and chiseled good looks enhances his marketability. He completely carried the movie In the Name of the King. Prior to that he starred in The Italian Job a remake of the Michael Caine 1969 original., which is filled with such stars as Charlize Theron, Mark Walhberg and Edward Norton released in 2003. This movie is much better than either of these. Get used to Mr. Statham you will be seeing quite a bit of him in the future. His star is rising. Saffron Burrows is stunning and elegant standing a full 6' tall. She is an appropriate complement to Mr. Statham. Saffron also describes her properly. She is an expensive and precious spice. I would love to see the both of them together in a remake of the Avengers with Mr. Statham as John Steed and Ms. Burrows as Mrs. Peel. In a time when a date with the movies can cost close to 30 dollars with popcorn and drinks for two, this is money that is well spent. As Siskel and Ebert used to say " Save us a seat in the balcony, we'll see you at the movies." sl.

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