Cinema

The Bank Job Roxxors, but Subtly.

By J. Wesley ⋅ September 11, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

I’m a sucker for crime capers — To Catch a Thief, Ocean’s Eleven, The Italian Job, you name it. When the film is British, that just makes it even better. Guy Ritchie’s oeuvre is especially fun — well his pre-Madonna movies, anyway. . .

The Bank Job is a heist film, but a rather unique one. Set in 1970s London, the film centers on the famous 1971 Baker Street robbery in which the safe deposit boxes of Lloyds Bank were robbed by a gang of petty, but ambitious criminals. Surrounding the heist itself is an elaborate conspiracy involving Black Power activists, underworld figures, MI-5, and the royal family. The film is well-plotted, the dialogue is solid, and the cast is great. Anything with Jason Statham can’t be all bad, after all. (Except Transporter 2, of course.)

What I especially appreciated about The Bank Job was the pacing. Not only was it set in the 70s, but it had the feel of a 70s movie as well. The producers built the action up slowly and didn’t feel the need to mesmerize the audience with constant explosions and effects. All in all, one of the few films I’ve really enjoyed this year. . .