The Heist (a.k.a The Maiden Heist), 2009.
Directed by Peter Hewitt.
Starring Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, William H. Macy and Marcia Gay Harden.
SYNOPSIS:
Three security guards decide to take action and steal their beloved pieces of art when the art gallery they work for plan to move the exhibits oversees.
The Heist actually has a great core cast, with Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman and William H. Macy all starring as Security Guards of an Art Gallery. The Gallery they work for plans to move a large portion of their exhibits to Denmark, and the three men are grief stricken as they are each hopelessly in love with a different piece of art.
There is some genuinely funny moments in this film, with each of the trio of stars providing more than a few laughs. Macy plays an ex-Vietnam war vet who loves to get naked around a statue,Walken and his wife Marcia Gay Harden are saving hard for a lifetime trip to Florida whilst he swoons over ‘The Maiden’, and Morgan plays a camp single man with several cats: it’s an oddball group that’s for sure.
The plot goes no deeper than the plan to steal the paintings – except for Walken, who gets somewhat of a character arc as he learns to appreciate the 3D woman in his life rather than the painting. During the course of the film you will laugh at various moments but it is isn’t brilliant any stretch. It drags along in places and skips a few plot threads as it moves by the numbers, with the comedy centered chiefly around various mishaps in their plan.
That being said the main cast are really great to watch as they seem to be having a lot of fun; it’s a quirky film and they each bring that to their roles. I most enjoyed Morgan Freeman and what he brings to his performance as a campy old man is subtle and fun. He’s Morgan Freeman.
Not comedy gold but entertaining enough for a few laughs.
Flickering Myth Rating: Film ★ ★ / Movie ★ ★
Martin Deer
Originally published April 1, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
