I managed to catch the new Jason Statham film ‘The Bank Job’ the other day and I thought it good enough to make a mention.Synopsis: In a nutshell the film is about a gang of amateur crooks who get the option of the big job that will set them up for life. Unbeknownst to them they actually pawns in a bigger plot by the British government to retrieve some sensitive photo’s of a royal that are stored in the safe deposit boxes of the bank they are to rob.
The obvious happens, shit goes pear shaped for the gang and they are caught up in the middle of a political tug of war. But don’t let that fool you this film is as entertaining as the Italian Job due to the early 1970s setting and as engaging as any political thriller that is out there. Jason Statham does a sterling job as the gang leader and he surrounded by a great cast of solid British actors. My only gripe about the acting is that of Saffron Burrows who I have always thought as a bit of a naff actor. There are some slightly shocking scenes when certain gang members are captured by the local mob but it all adds up to a top notch film.
Directed by Roger Donaldson who has directed such films as Dante’s Peak, The Worlds Fastest Indian, and Species, has captured the early 1970s feel perfectly and extrapolated on an event that is somewhat shrouded in mystery. The gang which was later known as the ‘walkie talkie gang’ tunnelled 12 metres from the rented retail shop two doors away from the bank and reportedly robbed the bank of approximately four million pounds. It is claimed that the photo’s in question were of Princess Margaret but this has not been corroborated, plus the filmmakers said that they made up the character of Martine thus prompting the New Yorker’s statement that it is "impossible to say how much of the film's story is true".
Even though we don’t know for sure how much is true and how much is made up I would hazard a guess that it is a lot more factual than something like JFK or some other American “True Story”.
Rating 8.5/10 – Highly Recommended
The Bank Job trailer.
1 comment:
Statham can be a bit of an embarassment to those living in the UK. I think its the fact he only ever plays one role and is a mockney wideboy. I tend to cringe when he is on screen. I aren't a cinema goer but if someone was to ever lend me the DVD I would give it a try due to Fett's impecible review. If you want a very funny British gangster movie that doesn't take itself too seriously then search out 'Love, Honour and Obey' starring Ray Winstone, Jude Law and Jonny Lee Miller (who is incredible), probably the best movie of its genre (and available at a knock down price at all good dvd selling websites (and some rubbish ones))
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