ART OF THE STEAL: ART FOR THE TAKING

Movies about criminals have fascinated movie goers for decades. Consider the typical heist films of the past like THE ASPHALT JUNGLE (1950), TOPKAPI (1964) and both versions of THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (1968 & 1999). All were heist films that had you rooting for the criminals to get away. It was the story and performances that made them interesting, showing how these thieves would go about stealing whatever precious object they had set as their goals. Now comes THE ART OF THE STEAL, a new heist film that starts off meek and ends with a flourish.

Kurt Russell is Crunch Calhoun, a driver for a crew of art thieves who starts the film being sent to prison in Poland after a job goes south. He should have been free but his brother Nicky (Matt Dillon) sold him out to the cops so he could skate free. After 5 and a half years (time off for good behavior), Crunch is out of prison and has gone straight. He now jumps cars on his motorcycle, occasionally taking a fall for a set fee. Living with Crunch are his wife Lola (Kathryn Winnick) and his sidekick Francie (Jay Baruchel).

A phone call has Crunch back in touch with his old crew led by Nicky. The old contractor in their crew has been informed by a collector that there is an item to be stolen that he will pay top dollar for. Rather than a piece of art like they've stolen in the past, this is a rare book printed by Gutenberg right after he printed the Bible. The Book of James is a piece that exists but has been stolen and replaced by a forgery. Unfortunately the thief transporting the book was caught and arrested and the book impounded by the border patrol at Niagara Falls. All they have to do is steal it within 3 days from the impound, a well monitored, well guarded facility.

Crunch comes up with a plan that might work but Nicky finds flaws in it. Instead he comes up with a different plan that will incorporate some of Crunch's ideas instead. The team sets about putting the plan into motion which involves a hilarious piece of art that has to be seen to be believed. Once they piece is taken things should progress to an exchange for cash and the movie end, right? Not this time.

All of this takes place in the first half of the film. What happens from their turns the heist into something else altogether different. Sure, their will be an exchange and money to be made. But is this heist the last one of the film? Or is something else going on here?

The movie opens nicely, setting the stage for the heist that follows. It also puts into play a number of things that will tie into it all including a goofy Interpol agent who uses an art thief arrested in the past to help him, played by Terence Stamp. As the film progresses it offers a nice combination of suspense and humor that works well for all involved. There is no character that doesn't have their chance to shine in the limelight here. Each brings to their part nuances that make them their own. I've always thought Russell was an overlooked marvel in his films and this proves that he still has what it takes. I stated in another review that Matt Dillon has become a better actor than anyone could have imagined years ago. The rest all turn in performances that match these two and make it a definite ensemble piece.

As the film progresses from the start though it feels like it might not be the best thing since sliced bread. But by the last reel you'll discover that it is one of the best heist films ever made. It brings something new to the table that differentiates it from the rest. And best of all it entertains from start to finish.

Thirty minutes in I thought it was a good movie that I probably wouldn't want to keep and watch again. By the end of the film I had changed my mind. It was that good. So if you're willing to take a gamble on a crime film, then make sure you give this one a watch. I'm guessing it will be on your list of movies to recommend as well as it is on mine.

Click here to order.