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An unenthusiastic
recommendation...
Going in to this film, two aspects of "The
Bank Job" were grave causes for concern. 1.
It stars Jason Statham. 2. It is yet another
in long line of recent British gangster
flicks.
Statham is not without charisma. I fully
understand why directors are hiring him.
However, his filmography ranks as one of the
worst on current record. Abysmal films
abound -- "Crank", "Revolver", "London" etc.
Only a handful of his movies have even
approached mediocrity. Most of them are
mired in critics' Worst 10 Lists from the
past half decade.
As for British gangster flicks... How many
more do we need or want? They seem to churn
out three or four duds a year in this tired
genre. I haven't yet mentioned my oft
repeated complaint that the notion of a
British "Hard Man" is somewhat "oxymoronic".
Nevertheless, "The Bank Job" had a few
things going for it. The film is based on a
true story -- one that had been rumored but
shrouded in mystery since the early
seventies. That inherent drama lends
intrigue to this speculative piece of
history.
It also co-stars Saffron Burrows -- a
benefit to any production she is involved
with. Burrows may be the most elegant woman
in movies and television these days and I
was happy to see her in this very masculine
line-up.
The film also promises and delivers
political intrigue, illicit scandal and
hints of double-crossing espionage. It all
felt like a more layered gangster plot than
we are usually provided.
The film tells us of an elaborate bank heist
that takes place on Baker Street in the
center of London. It is a tunnel job that
leads right to the vault -- a vault whose
alarms have been turned off due to the
nearby subway vibrations that
unintentionally trigger the system.
One strange decision the film makes is to
dispose with much of the planning phase --
usually the most interesting part of a heist
movie. Instead we dig right in to the theft
itself.
There are a few disturbingly illogical
decisions made by the heist team -- most
notably the idea that, once into the vault,
they would take a couple of hours to get
some rest. Surely a dumb move. They also
seem to have neglected to come up with a
code to use when blabbing about the robbery
over their walkie-talkies.
The political scandal involves some
sensitive photographs and a vital document
also located in the vault. It is this
awkward inconvenience that comprises the
final third of the film. Who wants the
information? Who has the information? Who is
willing to risk what in order to either
expose the secrets or keep them hidden from
the public.
I have to concede that the film is a minor
success. It certainly moves briskly from
credits to credits. Statham doesn't try as
hard as he usually does to act
simultaneously tough and cool. It is his
most restrained and accomplished effort to
date -- although that isn't saying much.
The screenplay is also laudable, weaving a
complex story that has us piecing together
various aspects, motivations and characters.
Most films in this genre are pretty
simplistic. However, "The Bank Job" keeps
audiences on their toes.
I am going to give this movie a passing
grade without going overboard with any
degree of enthusiasm. "The Bank Job" will
not inspire too many repeat viewings.
Rather, it works as decent diversion and
restores a smidgen of faith in this
overworked genre.
©
Written by TC Candler |
Director
Roger
Donaldson
Cast
Jason
Statham
Saffron Burrows
Running Time
110m
Rated
PG13
Official
Website
n/a |
