The Art of the Steal (2013)

Directed by Jonathan Sobol

Starred Kurt Russell, Matt Dillon, Jary Baruchel, Kenneth Welsh, Chris Diamantopoulos, Katheryn Winnick, Jason Jones, Terence Stamp, Devon Bostick, Dax Ravina, ...

2013, Canada, USA, English

 

Here we have a group of art thieves. Starting point of the movie is very cliche: They want to pull off one last heist. But as Kurt Russell`s character mentions, there is no such thing. Although the movie starts with a cliche promise, it evolves something really fun to watch. 

Seen it three times, I enjoyed each. I feel that the movie is heavily influenced by an Argentine heist movie, Nueve Reinas / Nine Queens (also available in the blog), it follows kind of same formula, but it somehow still succeeds remain original.

The movie makes reference an Italian classic caper movie, I soliti ignoti (`The Big Deal on Madonna Street`, which is also available in the blog), which what a chance I laid my hands on at the same time with this one. When Matt Dillon`s character tries to keep busy, distracted and entertained his business so-called partners, while Kenneth Welsh and Kurt Russell work on executing their plan, he tells a joke about somebody who looks for a Mario. When they tell him there are a thousand Mario live around there, he says `the thief one`and he gets a response this time `then there are then thousand`. It is almost exact dialogue in I soliti ignoti, except for in this Italian caper, one of the movie`s character looks for a Mario and asks the kids in this neneighborhood. When the kids tell him there are a thousand Mario who live there, he says `but this one is a thief`and the kids respond back `There are still a thousand`. 

But interesting thing, when I watched the special features of `The Art of the Steal`, the filmmakers are interviewed and they mention some American heist movies but never mention neither I soliti ignoti, nor Nueve Reinas. Let`s say Nueve Reinas is just a coincidental reference, but the other one is absolutely not.

This Canada-US co-production was nominated to Directors Guild of Canada and Genie Awards (also a Canadian movie awards) in Production Designing, Editing, Sound Editing, and Original Screenplay. Jay Baruchel, who I also enjoy his acting, also received a nomination in Genie Awards in Supporting Actor category.

A last note on the movie is this little short movie in the movie called `Theft of Mona Lisa`. I really really enjoyed it both in the movie and in special featurettes, where they show how it was actually filmed in blue-screen and then how the computer effects were added. If you see this one on DVD, make sure not to miss it.

If you crave for a heist movie follows its genre patterns strictly and doesn`t take any chance to explore anything new, then this one wouldn`t disappoint you.

 

To see the whole blog, click here. 

 

If you look for;

a heist movie follows its genre`s pattern strictly
a little funny, a little serious
a heist movie with good quality heist scenes
a well planned heist
 
 then this is your movie.

***

If you liked this movie, I believe you might like also:
(available in the blog)

Now You See Me (2013)

Nine Queens / Nueve Reinas (2000)

The Sting (1973)

Italian Job (2003) 
Crime Spree (2003)

Ocean`s Eleven (2001)
The Con Artist (2010)

  

***  

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Art Theft, Grifting/Fraud

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 5/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 4/5

Actors' Performances: 3/5

Excitement Level: 2/5

Surprise Level: 4/5

Humor Level: 2/5

Originality of the Story in General: 3/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 4/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 3/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.