The Bank Job

The Bank Job is a thrilling British heist film directed by Roger Donaldson and stars Jason Statham. It is based loosely on the true story of the 1971 Baker Street robbery in downtown London, from which the money and valuables stolen were never recovered. The producers of the film say the movie intends to reveal the truth for the first time, but it includes significant elements of fiction and the extent to which it represents historical fact is difficult to determine.

While the first act starts slow during the rather dull set up of the heist and meeting all the players who will have a part in it, the pace does pick up and doesn’t slow down. Not a lot of characterization for most of them aside from Jason Statham’s character Terry Leather which is still only weak. The only thing it seems they have in common is a shady past of petty crimes they pulled earlier on in life. Side plots with dirty cops, gangsters, civil rights activists and kinky politicians takes us away from the heist itself, eventually all the dots get connected. The director could toss out two or more of the unnecessary side plots and side characters, having had more focus on the main characters without missing a beat. Also the director uses Jason Statham for what he does best; a fist fight during the climax, but it is out of place. The only reason it is somewhat believable is because it was Jason Statham throwing his fists around. We have no reason to believe Terry Leather, who may be tough nosed could fight like that.

The twists and turns were many in this film, laying groundwork from the first twist and building on it. But the twists were very slight and are hurting from not really having any big reveals at the end. You will have to get past the lack of unmemorable characters that limits what the actors can do. The exception would be Jason Statham whose acting is really just his charisma. If you are interested in watching a slightly humours but fun gangster flick with a heist pulled in the middle then this movie is probably for you.

3 out of 5
Colin Enquist