An all-star cast headlines the ultimate crime caper. Our JP shares his take on “Crime 101,” starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry.
Crime 101
Amazon MGM Studios
- Directed by Bart Layton
- Screenplay by Bart Layton
- Based on Crime 101 by Don Winslow
- Produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Derrin Schlesinger, Dimitri Doganis, Bart Layton, Shane Salerno, Chris Hemsworth, Ben Grayson
- Starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, Halle Berry
Film Synopsis:
Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, “Crime 101” weaves the tale of an elusive jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose string of heists along the 101 freeway have mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime, his path crosses that of a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads. Convinced he has found a pattern, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) is closing in, raising the stakes even higher. As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realization that there can be no turning back. Adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella of the same name, the film is written and directed by Bart Layton (American Animals, The Imposter). Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte round out the cast.
J.P.’s Take:
Every master thief has their crime of the century. “Crime 101” pulls off something you don’t really expect from a crime caper that feels more like a tribute to many crime / thriller / dramas of the late ‘70s through the ‘90s.
I’ve heard many critics and viewers calling it Mann-sian in style, referring to writer / director Michael Mann’s ability to create moody, edgy, yet high-class capers with a heart and soul. If you’ve seen his most notable works, such as “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1968), “Thief” (1981), and “Collateral” (2004), you’ll certainly note that atmosphere here. The vibe of “Crime 101” captures the mood and aesthetics of a high-end caper, paired with an emotional tie to the main character, and encompasses the lives of the supporting characters as its central narrative.
You find yourself right in the thick of an audacious, yet cleverly planned diamond heist unfolding before your eyes. Mike Davis (Chris Hemsworth) is the methodical and self-reliant master thief in question, whose personal life remains a mystery until he ensnares the attention of a washed-up detective named Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo) and Sharon Combs (Halle Berry), a fed-up insurance broker for the rich. What we run into is an introspective drama sparked by six degrees of separation, which adds to the richness of this thriller.
There is a “foil” in the mix, between cop, robber, and insurance broker dynamics, by the name of Ormon (Barry Keoghan). He’s the psychotic wannabe thief who tries to spoil Mike’s plans for gaining the upper hand, while Ormon also serves as a lackey to the “fence” (a person who moves stolen goods) named Money (Nick Nolte), who has a stranglehold on Mike as well. The drama that unfolds makes for some slightly unpredictable and intriguing twists to savor.
It becomes more than just about the crime being committed, as it is about the people whose lives are affected by these moments. And there are, of course, consequences.
When the lives of these three individuals intersect, their past, present, and future converge, prompting a moment of introspection about the missteps they’ve taken. This inevitably influences the choices they ultimately make going forward. All the while, you’re getting several films in one, as the genres mix and meander throughout its running. I was thoroughly surprised by the chemistry between Hemsworth, Barry, and Ruffalo, as they played off each other naturally.
The supporting cast provided the missing pieces, adding depth to the story. Actors Monica Barbaro (as Maya, Mike’s love interest), Tate Donovan (Steven Monroe, a wealthy client of Sharon’s), Corey Hawkins (Det. Tillman, Lou’s partner), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Angie, Lou’s estranged wife), Dovan Bostick (hacker Devon), Payman Maadi (Sammy Kassem), Babak Tafti (Ali), Paul Adelstein (Mark), and Drew Powell (Det. Townsend) subtly enriched the narrative to give it a sense of authenticity.
My reaction was that of surprise when it ended with a soft touch. There wasn’t the spectacle of a police chase or bloody showdown. In fact, the only real tense and uncertain moment was the scene in the hotel room of the Billionaire tech mogul, Monrow (Donovan), that amounted to shots being fired and one person dead and another wounded.
I got the sense that these characters understood that in the blink of an eye, everything can change for the worse if they didn’t make the decisions they needed to right then and there. And for that, I felt “Crime 101” paid off agreeably and entertainingly.
Official Site: Crime 101