Heist (DVD 2002)

This is my no. 1 heist film (an apt name). I find it more tense than Heat, darkly comic than The Italian Job (which is more camp comedy).
It's the plot and the dialogue ('Why did the Chicken cross the road? Because the Road crossed the Chicken.') that does it for me everytime. Everybody plays it cool without feeling the need to wear matching black suits and sun-glasses (a la Reservoir Dogs). It's true the twists keep comming, and the ending may be a downer for some (Though I found it very satisfying) - but if you're not up for that then perhaps you shouldn't be watching a Heist film - these things were built for Twists and Turns.

Hackman proves he's one of the greatest actors of all time kicking ass and spitting venom with the best of them (much like Clint Eastwood 35 years ago). Lindo is on top form and an equal sparring partner to Hackman. But it's in Devito's performance that you may find the bigest suprise. Those who've seen him from family films like Twins, Junior and Matilda may want to look away - He is just a right bad-ass in this film. There isn't an ounce of remorse in his character. It suprised me how nasty he can be.

Unfortunately it's never gotten the same attention as other lesser films (Ocean's 11/12). But it's a diamond in the rough, and at this price is a steal. If you're still undecided, I leave you with one of Hackman's lines:

'I tried to imagine a man smarter than myself. Then I tried to think, "What would he do?"'