Today’s quick review: The Heist. After four years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Neal Skinner (Pierce Brosnan), the former head of security at a horse racetrack, has a plan to get back at Ebet Berens (Tom Skerritt), the partner who set him up. Using a few of his old friends as accomplices, Neal plans to steal $5 million from the track right from under Berens’ nose and win back the heart of his ex-girlfriend Sheila (Wendy Hughes) in the process.
The Heist is a light crime movie about a security expert with a score to settle. The Heist follows Neal as he braves Berens’ goons (Ben Mittleman and Nino Surdo), an overbearing detective (Tom Atkins), and rejection from his sweetheart to pull off his daring caper. The Heist has a few interesting ideas, and its light tone makes it a pleasant enough watch. But a thin supporting cast and a mediocre plan for the actual heist leave the film outclassed.
The Heist’s most distinctive feature is its ambiguity. Berens is wise to Neal’s plan from the very beginning; the only question is whether Neal knows that he knows. With this cat-and-mouse setup in place, The Heist has everything to gain by playing its cards close to its chest. Neal’s actions could be part of a larger scheme, or they could be just as transparent as they seem. Sheila serves as the film’s wildcard, with her loyalties uncertain.
Beyond these mysteries, The Heist doesn’t have that much to offer. Neal’s actual plan has a few neat twists but nothing astounding. The perpetual ambiguity makes it hard to tell what the plot developments mean. Neal’s accomplices are one-note, forgettable characters; Sheila and Berens are only a little better. Sheila in particular is a missed opportunity, a lukewarm love interest who shows little evidence of her past relationship with Neal.
Watch The Heist when you’re in the mood for a caper with a light tone and a dash of mystery. The Heist lacks the quality of acting and writing needed to stand up to its competition, but taken in isolation, it’s a decent popcorn watch. For a sharper take on a similar premise, try Ocean’s Eleven. For a convoluted caper with more overt comedy, try A Fish Called Wanda. For a similar plot and a better romance, try Out of Sight.
6.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for a light tone and a few nice twists, but not much in the way of substance.