Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic, cerebral entertainment, January 12, 2002
This has definitely got to be one of the top films I have seen in the past year. I normally don't get interested in seeing movies that glorify crime or make the hero of the story someone who weilds a gun and steals things that don't belong to them, but this movie surpassed my expectations. I am a fan of Gene Hackman, and I really enjoyed the entire cast, all of whom were aptly cast for this film... but the best actors, casting and story isn't enough if all the things aren't tied together well by the director. Mamet should be proud. The film is forever dated as being pre-Sept. 11 as the big heist of the film takes place at an airport, but if your memory of how things were before 9/11 aren't too foggy already, you'll appreciate that this was a well conceived and even plausible plot. The story assumes that the viewer is intelligent and does not insult logic or waste your time. There were a few plot twists I anticipated, but far more that I did not expect. Some gun play and sexually suggestive scenes, but the real draw to this film at the cerebral level... this film will keep you enthralled as you try to figure out who is honest, who is a betrayer and who knows what's going on. You will be surprised many times during this film. The language is at gutter level and simply is not suitable for kids... but this is an otherwise fantastic motion picture.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mamet has given us better., September 8, 2002
Whether comedy, drama or suspense, David Mamet films are not just entertainment, they are high art. Truly, they can be looked at in both ways: either truly gripping perfect-for-munching-popcorn stories, or beautifully shot and executed works of sublime art. Rather, I should say that MOST of his films can be looked at in both ways. Although this film was well shot, directed and acted, the story line and tension that is a hallmark of Mamet's films just wasn't there. As the reviewer below points out, the cast of this film was great. Gene Hackman, Rebeccas Pidgeon (who DID seem more comfortable here than in other films), Sam Rockwell and Danny DeVito. All did a wonderful job. The problem was, the plot was not cohesive. I felt that when writing, Mamet must not have had any clue where he was going, giving this film many false stops and starts leading to a bumpy ride.
In brief, this film is about a worn-out conman deciding to pull one last job with his crew. Problem is, they brought in a new guy that might threaten to out-con the cons. So this is a story begging to be written and you'd think Mamet was the guy to do it, but instead, I got the sense that it was trying too hard to follow in the footsteps of films like 'The Usual Suspects' and 'Oceans 11'. Unfortunately, Mamet tried to emulate the 'shoptalk' and highbrow tension that led to those films success instead of staying true to his film noir type style. The film ends up becoming a cliche. So even though the performances and direction were stellar, the script and plot were mediocre.
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25 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
See it...now!, October 11, 2001
By A Customer
I had the pleasure of seeing Heist on October 8th at the 24th Mill Valley Film Festival, when I had first seen the trailer for it I thought it had far to many cute lines and holywood lok to it. I was wrong, the film did contain plenty of not cute lines but smart funny lines that only added to the audiences enjoyement, the film has some hollywood aspects to it but it is a very well made hollywood film it does not neccesarlily keep you on the edge of your seat but the characters and plot twists keep the film great and enjoyable all the way until the end. It is hard to describe it without giving away to much, but Gene Hackman plays an aging thief who is very precise, tricky and smart in his work, Delroy Lindo is his partner and helps him carry out all of the 'jobs' they do. Each of these characters ar wonderfully played by the actors. Ricky Jay plays another memeber of thier team and deffenitely adds to the humor of the film, Danny DeVito plays a greedy, sleezy crime lord who is mutual with Gene Hackman on the love of gold and wealth, Rebbeca Pidgeon who plays Gene Hackmans girlfriend as well as a partner in crime also does well in showing uncertainty as to weather Gene Hackman is using her or not, Sam Rockwell plays Danny DeVitos nephew and a younger aspiring criminal who is requested by DeVito to be a part of Gene Hackmans team of thieves, this adds to the tention, because SAmis also a crminal in training. Overall Heist is probably Gene Hackmans best film since the Frenc Connection as well as one of the best crime films Hollywood has produced.
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