Heist [VHS]

What is our fascination with criminal activities, specifically in film? Maybe it's the opportunity to live vicariously through the nefarious on-screen actions of others? Or maybe it's a chance to get a peek into a world many of us will probably never see? Whatever the reason, the public (myself included) seems to eat it up with a spoon.Heist (2001), written and directed by David Mamet, certainly involves a lot of criminal activity, if you couldn't tell that from the title. The film stars Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, Delroy Lindo, Sam Rockwell, and Mamet regulars from a few of his other films Ricky Jay and Rebecca Pidgeon. The story begins with a somewhat elaborate robbery of a jewelry store involving Joe Moore (Hackman) and his crew consisting of his wife, Fran (Pidgeon), Bobby Blane (Lindo), and Don 'Pinky' Pincus (Jay). The group works efficiently and quickly, indicating a high degree of proficiency and experience, but even the best-laid plans can go wrong. And something does. Joe gets caught on videotape, and now must get out of the business. Only problem is, the group's fence for the stolen merchandise, Mickey Bergman (DeVito) takes the goods, but refuses to pay due to the fact that there's another, more lucrative job involving a large shipment of Swiss gold waiting in the wings, one he's already set up the financing for, and one both he and Joe agreed to prior to the current robbery, and prior to Joe getting `made' on video. Finding himself between a rock and a hard place, Joe sees no other choice but to put off his plans to head south to settle somewhere where he could elude law enforcement, as the trip would require large amounts of money, which he doesn't have. Joe also agrees to take on Bergman's inexperienced nephew, Jimmy Silk (Rockwell), as part of the team. Will the heist be successful? With the number of complications that seem to develop, you wouldn't think so, but reality isn't always what it seems, and in the world of criminals, trust is an especially hard thing to come by, as motives and loyalties can change faster than the weather in Chicago.I've always kind of thought Mamet to be really adept in developing the art of the con, especially within his films. He seems to have an understanding of the ins and outs of the confidence game, and presents it very well on the screen. With regards to Heist, it's very difficult to tell if what's happening is for real or a part of some elaborate plan designed to put other events into motion. The layers of the con were very thick and intricate, and my only advice would be not to think about it too hard as it's happening, but rather just let it unfold and be revealed. At times I did feel the plot bordered on being a little to convoluted, but eventually, it all came around. I did think the level of intricacy in various schemes seemed just a little to complicated, especially given the expected outcome or reaction from the individuals the plan was designed to work on...the unpredictability seemed of little consequence here, as it seemed like Joe always seemed to expect everything, working all angles at all times. He is portrayed as a man who sees the value in careful, calculated planning and always having a backup plan, but then I think back to the beginning of the film when he got his mug on video, setting up the rest of the film...oh well...one element especially unique to many of Mamet's films is his use of words in the dialog. Many people find his technique to be disjointing, and completely unrealistic, and I can understand this as I no of no one who speaks the way in normal conversation. But what you have to keep in mind while listening to the dialog in this film, the characters only really use the sort of jibberty jabberty dialog when they are speaking within their own group, or members of the criminal element in general. I have had little to no (okay, none at all) experience with thieves, con men, grifters and others of that ilk, so I couldn't say that they don't speak that way or not...a good example of this is when Delroy Lindo's character issues the following statement, "You know why the chicken crossed the road? Because the road crossed the chicken." At first listen, it doesn't seem to make much sense, but someone on the IMDb put it well stating that it's most likely a warning to another not to `cross', or betray me, or I will mess you up. The dialog actually reminds me a lot of the way characters spoke in the gangster films of the 40's. Danny DeVito's character probably had the best line, which I used as a title for this review. To hear him speak it you understand his meaning perfectly.The acting was really excellent throughout, but then that was my expectation given the talent involved in this more cerebral and less action oriented film. I was pleasantly surprised by Rebecca Pidgeon, as with the last film I saw her in, another Mamet film, The Spanish Prisoner (1997), I thought she was the weakest element. Here she seems more comfortable, and sports a more seductive and alluring character as Hackman's wife, Fran. I don't normally go for women with short hair, but it looked really good on her. The direction was also very good, keeping the story rolling along, engaging the viewer and keeping their interest throughout, which was pretty amazing considering the how complex the story got at certain points.Presented here is a sharp looking wide screen print, with a smattering of special features including an original theatrical trailer, filmographies of the talent involved, and captions to follow along with some of the more arcane dialog.Cookieman108

This movie has many twists that will have you guessing to the end!

That's a David Mamet line, delivered with credible insouciance by Gene Hackman, this movie's star. Mamet wrote and directed this sly entertainment."Heist' is a triple-decker con-and-caper, filled with middle-aged crooks who want to quit the business but are wangled out of the pleasure of retirement. Its degree of violence is needless, but the movie's filled with young idiots who don't know how to do anything except pull triggers. The smart guys, Hackman being the smartest, enjoy the thrill of talking their way out of danger. Most of the time they can.This movie has a great supporting cast, highlighted by Danny DeVito, Delroy Lindo, and Rebecca Pidgeon (Mrs. Mamet). The plot has some holes, which you usually ignore because the pacing is so good. The story is as twisted as a cruller, with double-, triple, and quadruple-crosses. Mamet the director is not as good as Mamet the writer, but the writer is terrific. In this movie the characters are their dialogue, and they are great fun to listen to."She could talk her way out of a sunburn.""Everybody needs money. That's why they call it money.""Don't you want to hear my last words?" / "I just did."

I can't wait to get this DVD as Heist was one of the most enjoyable films I saw in 2001. I'll get right to it: My wife and I can generally detect where a movie is going to end up 5 minutes into it, sometimes before the opening credits are done. You can sense everything you're going to know about the plot, characters, and the finale while the popcorn is still warm.Heist was refreshingly atypical. Instead of telling you a story with props, explosions, stereotypes, and poorly executed manipulative jumps between humor and tragedy, this movie treated you like an adult. The plot did what a plot should do, draw you both into the world of the characters and the characters themselves. Enough "curves" were thrown that you couldn't sit there smuggly predicting the next twist but not so much that the suspension of belief went off the scale. As others have said, the dialog was crisp, unpredictable, and inventive like a good Jazz solo while the plot was "comping" in the background. Yes, there was cursing but these are criminal characters and profanity is a part of that "world".I also liked the fact that all of the "good" bad guys were strong: In a lot of movies female characters start out strong but mysteriously become weak and inert (perhaps for "dramatic" reasons) later in the film. Not so here. Rebecca is a perfect foil as Gene's woman/wife/girlfriend who looks and gender are tools not a liability or weakness. DelRay Lindo's character is a man, a partner, not a black man whose skin color is played for "effect" in the movie in some way. The role of Pinky in other films would have become a Steve Buscimi (sic) type of character willing to give up his friends to save his own neck. I remembering thinking "wow, this guy is not behaving like a role in this situation would usually play out".If you have a short attention span, like very clear cut plots, and don't like to pay attention to nuances in dialog, you probably won't like this movie. If you're like me and are tired of remakes or new movies which are predictable front to back and enjoy crime dramas I think you'll enjoy this film. One last thing, again as others have said, due to the language, some implied sexual situations, and yeah, some shooting and killing, this film is NOT suitable in my opinion for early teens. Maybe 16 and older...

Order response and shipping was great - However, the DVD was defective: did not play beyond 1/3 of the movie, no matter what I tried. Perhaps more quality-control would help this merchant.

DelRoy Lindo, Gene Hackman, DeVito - and more, how could a movie be better.The script was well planned out and directed. Excellent twists, some did not see coming, some ya' have to go with the movie and how it interplays.Excellent in actor choice. Would give 10*********** Excellent

This is just perfect. I watch it once a year or so.

I remembered this as being a smarter snappier script than it proved to be, perhaps it has aged poorly or its just less impressive after years of seeing other smart heist movies. I still enjoyed it however, Hackman at his best and a young Sam Rockwell. If you like Mamet worth viewing.

This under-rated film does what it says on the tin. I saw it reviewed once as some of the greatest writing or funniest film or something and look for ages until I found it. It's awesome, great characters and a great plot. Highly recommend.

Leagues better than most in the genre, with a top cast and cracking dialogue from Mamet. Hackman is excellent as always, and the twists and turns keep you on your toes. Well worth a watch.

Great film (intelligent Mamet script, wonderful performances) at good price, which arrived in excellent condition

a chose this rating a) as a collector of Gene Hackman films, and b) as a lover of high action crime thrillers. both Hackman and DeVito play excellent roles. met all expectations, and is highly recommended.