Heist (Canada/USA; 107min.)


directed by: David Mamet
starring: Gene Hackman; Danny DeVito; Rebecca Pidgeon; Sam Rockwell; Delroy Lindo; Ricky Jay 		Heist
 
Esme says: "Want my opinion? Mediocre. Predictable. Hackneyed. Not very entertaining, or interesting. Gene Hackman was not as special as I had heard he would be. Corny performances all around. We were subjected to close up shots of Rebecca's ass in short shorts too many times to be considered 'artistic.' And maybe it's not Mamet's schick to have characters develop, but if he is going to have them change their agenda completely, it would be nice. That is all I have to say. Oh yeah, my one positive comment goes to Rickey Jay--he is very cool, and I enjoyed his performance."
 
Hilary says: "I'm always mixed on David Mamet's films, and HEIST is no exception. The fact that he is a playwright first gives the script a different scope than found in the vast majority of those written directly for film. This is more successful in some of his films, such as THE SPANISH PRISONER. Here, the dialogue was a bit less stilted than in past films, but still a bit much at times, especially during Gene Hackman's monologues. (P.S. I recommend "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" be revised to Gene Hackman, as he seems to be in EVERYTHING these days)

My largest criticism with Mamet is Mrs. David Mamet, Rebecca Pidgeon, whose terribly wooden performances are featured in his films. Here she wasn't wholly believable as a "bad girl" -- a dye job and chain-smoking alone do not a great Wrong Woman make. That said, the supporting cast was outstanding, particularly Delroy Lindo and Ricky Jay, someone I was amiss to omit in previous discussions of favorite character actors. Also, Sam Rockwell, working the Sleazy Mustachioed Guy role to great effect. And, always fun to see local places on-screen.
 

Kevin says: "HEIST is a return to a genre director David Mamet has explored before, a straight-forward caper film, with enough red-herrings to please Agatha Christie and enough explosions to keep even Michael Bay in his seat for the entire film. It’s just a moderate success. HEIST is the story of a small group of theives looking for a big score to keep them set for life. The pack is lead by Joe Moore (Gene Hackman) and is made up of his young wife, Fran (Mamet’s wife, Rebecca Pidgeon), Bobby (Delroy Lindo) and Don (Ricky Jay). After stealing millions of dollars worth of jewels in the high-octane opening number, Joe and the gang are short-changed by his fence, played by Danny DeVito. He not only refuses to give them their cut, but insists they high-jack a plane and steal a couple of trunks full of Swiss gold.

HEIST is so packed with double-crosses, twists and turns that it becomes, tonally at least, very perdictable. At the same time, the story is such a whirling dervish that it’s hard to follow what’s going on at some points. All of this tinsel may have seemed like a rare jewel in Mamet’s head, but it’s so disorienting to the audience--me at least--that I felt very removed from the experience of the film. Mamet is known for his razor-sharp dialogue, and it’s a definite part of this script as well. While a lot of the lines are great, his dialogue doesn’t mesh very well with the basic genre-type story that he’s trying to tell. He also comes up a bit short on character development. Actually all of them besides Joe seem like ciphers used in service of the plot.

Gene Hackman is absolutely incredible. This is possibly his best performance. The way he commands the screen is really wonderful to watch. Like I said before, the rest of the cast doesn’t have much to work with character-wise. Delroy Lindo comes off best. Rebecca Pidgeon is a few cuts above passable, but seems a bit miscast. Danny DeVito, on the other hand, nearly sinks the whole picture. He screams and runs around in such an annoying fashion that it made me almost walk right out of the theater. What he does in HEIST, can’t be called a performance, it’s just a big, exasperating blob.

The reason, besides Hackman, that the picture actually works is Mamet’s direction. While his script may have a bit of identity crisis, his direction is sure-handed and forcefully slick. Visually, things come off without a hitch. The film’s look is really stunning. While it fails in a couple of departments, it passes as entertainment (albeit, somewhat confusing entertainment), and when it comes down to it, that’s what counts. I give HEIST a reserved recommendation.." 3 cats
 
Michael says: "HEIST is David Mamet's latest work, a caper film involving a seasoned professional's ONE LAST HEIST (yes, a tried old storyline.) I actually enjoyed HEIST pretty well. Not up to Mamet's best (THE WINSLOW BOY, HOUSE OF GAMES) but with an entertaining enough story, a great cast and some pretty wonderful dialogue.

"Gene Hackman is the con-man, professional theif extraordinnaire who is getting old and just wants to retire. He and his girl, played by Mrs. Mamet, Rebecca Pidgeon, just want to sail to the tropics and enjoy life. But they need cash to do it, and after-being double-crossed by their last job organizer (played by Danny DeVito) agree to perform that one last job, only to double-cross him back and do things their way. Well double-cross, follows con, follows double-cross as the upper hand shifts back and forth innumerable times.

"Hackman's team, including Delroy Lindo and longtime Mamet collaborator, the superb Ricky Jay are joined by DeVito's somewhat inept nephew, Sam Rockwell. Patty LuPone puts in an amusing turn as a police woman, and I must admit, I loved Rebecca as the sexy, bad-girl who keeps you guessing as to her motivations and whose side she's really on. I guess the double-crosses went on a little too long, and the last one was completely expected, but I enjoyed HEIST more than I thought I would from reviews.

"And it has some really great lines, including DeVito's 'Everybody needs money! That's why they call it money!'" 3 1/2 cats