Today’s quick review: American Heist. James Kelly (Hayden Christensen), an ex-con mechanic, gets dragged back into the world of crime when his lowlife brother Frankie (Adrien Brody) comes home after a decade in prison. Frankie ropes James into a bank robbery dreamed up by Ray (Tory Kittles), a cutthroat criminal who protected Frankie in prison. With no way to back out, James must commit one last crime if he wants to put his past behind him.
American Heist is a budget crime drama about brotherhood and forgiveness. American Heist aims to be a harrowing look at crime and the decisions that lead to it. James finds himself betrayed at every turn by his brother, but the ties of blood still keep them together. Unfortunately, the movie falls short of its ambition. Uneven characters, a linear plot, and plot threads that go nowhere all contribute to a mediocre experience.
American Heist hinges on Adrien Brody’s performance as Frankie Kelly. The role is an uncomfortable fit. Brody does not make for a natural lowlife, and Frankie comes off as a nervous, untrustworthy poser rather than anyone who belongs on the streets. To a certain extent, the effect is intentional: Frankie is a tragic figure who gets taken advantage of by those stronger or smarter than him. But intended or not, the character just doesn’t work.
Without its lynchpin, the rest of the movie does not amount to much. Hayden Christensen makes for an average protagonist, but he never manages to take control of his situation or redeem the good will he accumulates. The film does save its special effects budget for a lavish robbery sequence at the end. However, the robbers’ amateur tactics and the film’s abrupt ending leave much to be desired.
With a weak crime and failed drama, American Heist has little to offer. Those willing to take a chance on the Kelly brothers will discover a smattering of good ideas let down by the film’s execution. The result is a watchable crime flick without much payoff. For a much cleaner execution of a similar premise, try The Town or Dog Day Afternoon. Other, similar movies include Rounders, Takers, Tracers, and Stone.
5.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for a decent plot and premise marred by ineffectual drama and weak payoff.