The Bank Job (2008) Movie Review
August 11th 2008 08:15
STARRING:SAFFRON BURROWS, JASON STATHAM, STEPHEN CAMPBELL MOORE, DANIEL MAYS, JAMES FAULKNER, ALKI DAVID, MICHAEL JIBSON, GEORGIA TAYLOR, RICHARD LINTERN, KEELEY HAWES ,PETER DE JERSEY
WRITTEN BY DICK CLEMENT & IAN LA FRENAIS
PRODUCED BY STEVE CHASMAN & CHARLES ROVEN
DIRECTED BY ROGER DONALDSON
GENRE:CRIME/HISTORY/DRAMA
RATED: AUSTRALIA:MA /UK:15/ USA:R
RUNNING TIME:111 MIN
The Bank Job is a fantastical and fascinating account of the 1971 Walkie Talkie Baker St. Robbery, entitled so due to the fact that the walkie talkie conversations between the brazen thieves and their lookout was picked up by a ham radio. A recording of said conversations were implemented in the script.
The film begins with former model Martine Love (Saffron Burrows) visiting her old neighbourhood and informing ex-flame Terry Leather (Jason Statham) of the perfect heist which involves the robbery of safe deposit boxes in the basement vault of Lloyd's Bank. Terry assembles a crew of local misfits and leases a shop two door down from the bank where they proceed to dig a tunnel leading to the bank's vault. The robbery is a success with 4 million dollars worth of cash and jewels in their possession. But unbeknownst to them, among the spoils is enough incriminating evidence to not only damn the criminal underworld but also shake the corridors of power, for as it turns out Martine is working for MI5 who -after being busted for possession of drugs - is coerced into robbing the bank and steal scandalous photos of Princess Margaret, which have been placed there by drug pusher, pimp, and black supremacist Michael X (Peter De Jersey) who was using the photos as a get of jail for free card.
A choice cast deliver solid performances, with special mention to Jason Statham (the Bruce Willis of our generation) who does his blue collar hard man act and does it well and Saffron Burrows whose statuesque frame adds a refined touch to her seedy surroundings.
Since I am a fan of film scores and music choices suiting the period in which it is set, I did have an issue with certain segments of the score by J. Peter Robinson which were too tencho driven for a film set in the 1970's.
But this flaw is countered by the films extremely interesting and enthralling back story, which has been tweaked enough by Ronaldson and co. to make an engrossing and entertaining heist movie.
****
For more reviews and views please visit Matt's Movie Reviews.
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