If one thing has influenced intuitive and productivity throughout history it’s this: getting more stuff without doing that much. Sometimes it benefits everyone such as the dish washer, robots and the internet. Think about it, we’ve become a culture of convenience, we love instance gratification and spend a few bucks extra to get what we want when we want it. Other people see these things and take a different approach. Be it a Ponzi scheme, Televangelists, or a sophisticated group of master criminals set on that one big score, some people get their things very south of legal. Sometimes it works out, most times it doesn’t, and in some cases, it can be fun or exciting to sit back and watch everything go completely wrong, or just barely pan out. Hollywood has been gracious enough to give us many examples of these films, and here are seven examples of some of the best heist films out there.
Topkapi
You’ve probably never heard of this movie, and that’s ok. Essentially, a woman brings together a not so crack group of criminal misfits to steal Jewels in a very secure Turkish museum. Right from the start you pretty much know things aren’t going to work out, but secretly you hope it does. This movie did win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (Peter Ustinov), so it does have movie snob cred, but I think the special blend of drama, witty one liners, action, and comedy will make you fall in love with this one.
The Sting
What happens when you rip off the biggest bookie in Chicago during The Great Depression? The answer is you’re most likely going to die very painfully, and there’s not much you can do about it. Well… unless you partner who was killed tells you to find the greatest con man alive. This is what happens, and there is a ton of suspense, close calls, and watching a bunch of con men stick it to a crime boss. It is quite possibly the greatest heist film of all time, with an amazing a-list cast. It’s sequel…not so much.
Un Flic
This is the film that “inspired” Quentin Tarantino to make Reservoir Dogs, and by inspired, I mean ripped off. It’s about a heist gone wrong, and how a band of criminals tries to keep it together. While all this is going on a hard-boiled French detective with a habit of slapping people instead of using his gun, tries to solve the case while maintaining a relationship with a woman who…well… I don’t want to spoil it for you, but trust me, this movie is fantastic, and not because Richard Crenna had to learn French for the role (Please tell me you guys know who he is?). I should mention that this movie is in French, so it is subtitled. I know, most of you go to movies and not to read, but give this one a chance. Who knows? Maybe you’ll rip it off to make an epic movie.
Jackie Brown
Since I’m on the subject of Tarantino, I might as well mention one of his movies. Jackie Brown is one of those rare movies where everything is planned, all the angles are examined, and it works. Pam Grier is an underrated actress, and deserves a better place in Hollywood than she has, and her turn as the title character is a prime example of her acting skill. She masterfully plays ambitious yet crooked law enforcement, slow-witted criminals, and even has a bail bondsman to help her. Even though the end is great, it’s a tad bit somber in the same way The Graduate is, what might have been. Even after almost twenty years since its premiere, it still holds up as truly great movie.
The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three
Four seemingly unrelated men get on a subway car a four unremarkable stops. What is remarkable is that they hold the train hostage and demand one million dollars, or the hostages die, one by one. Taking of Pelham One, two, three has been called one of the best heist movies of the ‘70’s, and with good reason. It’s an amazing script. The actors, most notably Walter Matteau, nail the characters, and the score adds to the tension of an already volatile situation. Matteau’s character, a transit authority officer, shows amazing deductive reasoning, and is a great foil for Robert Shaw as the leader of the terrorists, Mr. Blue. The ending will throw you a slight curve ball, but it works.
Thief
Imagine owning a couple of businesses that are doing very well, now try to imagine have a wife, a newly acquired kid (stay with me here), and a nice little side business of stealing jewels. Yes things are going pretty well for James Caan’s Frank until he’s denied his cut of a score, and that’s where it all goes down the toilet for him and everyone he cares for in this early 80’s Michael Mann masterpiece. The action is cut so well, which plays against an unusual choice in soundtrack performed by Tangerine Dream. I mean, it even has Willie Freaking Nelson in it. Do you really need another reason to watch it?
The Usual Suspects
A great man who played a great character once said “It’s the truth… from a certain perspective.”, and that’s what makes this heist film a classic. Kevin Spacey delivers a masterful performance as small time con man Verbal Kint. He tells Customs agent Dave Kujan a story about a heist gone wrong on behalf of a mysterious man Keyser Soze. The movie is full of twists and turns, and just when you’ve made up your mind who did what… you’re probably wrong and find yourself watching it again to see how you screwed up. It doesn’t hurt that It also has a great cast that plays well off each other. If you’ve never watched this film by all means watch it, but don’t blame me if you start questioning what is and what isn’t.
There are plenty of other fabulous heist movies you should check out, but these films are a good start to get you on the road to loving this sometimes overlooked genre of films. Think of any other films that should be on here? Leave me a comment below. Happy viewing everyone.