Release:
Director: Peter Hewitt: (Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, Garfield, The Borrowers
Writer: Michael LeSieur (You Me and Dupree)
Cast:
Morgan Freeman (Batman: Dark Knight, Glory)
Christopher Walken (Deer Hunter, Catch Me if You Can)
William H. Macy (Fargo, Pleasentville)
Marcia Gay Harden (Mystic River, Miller's Crossing[1990])
Ratings:
Rotten Tomatoes: 34% Fresh (Audience Only) http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/maiden_heist/
IMDB: 6.0/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1107860/
Netflix: 3.2 Stars
Review:
The Maiden Heist is a film you either fall in love with or are going to hate instantly. For myself I fell in love with the bumbling, stumbling trio of Charles, Roger and George. Played by Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken and William H. Macy respectably. The story is simple each man has a piece of art that they love more than they love anything else in life. The art is their life they fantasize about it they dream about it. It is just what they have become.
So when the new Curator played by Todd Weeks decides it is time to refresh the Museum and move out all the old works of art. The men each of whom had no previous connection except being Museum Guards decide that going to Denmark to see their favorite works is to far and set out to steal the works. Which honestly is a riot as none are proffesional thiefs and that is where this film's humor lies. It is a traditional slapstick complete with all the bell's and whistles.
I guess that is why I liked this movie. It reminded me of a reverse Private Eye's who starred the late Don Knott's and Tim Conway. Instead of finding a killer and a thief. These bumbling men are trying to figure out how to steal the works. Alah! Night at the Museum which Morgan Freeman also starred in. Again three guards wanting to steal artifacts from the Museum. That is where the charm is. Each of the lead have their own works that they love. Which they each sculpted their lives around and you fall for them.
But where the film is weakest is how they do it. It seem's almost juvenile yet somewhat befitting the story. It is not a serious film and should never be viewed at that. But just as a good movie to sit down with and enjoy. Peter Hewitt who directed this film did a wonderful job in setting up of shots and editing this film. It was high class all the way. The saddest part of this film is not the film itself but what happens all to often in Hollywood. The Studio that produced this movie the Yari Film Group went belly up.
Which caused this movie to be delayed and ultimately to DVD. It is sad as I see this a film that could have brought in 40 to 80 million at the box office. It is just that enjoyable at least to me. But take my word on this give this film a shot. The rating might be all over the place and it just shows one thing. Audiences and critics can not make choices for you. So give The Maidens Heist a shot and you might just find your inner artiste.
My Rating for this film. 3 Stars out of 5
My Review Criteria: Must be a film I have never seen and available on Netflix (Streaming or DVD). Must be a B-Film, Indie Film or Foreign Film. Must have not been released in mass to Theaters in the USA. Feel free to submit any movie you would want me to review. I am game for anything.
(Goal to write 365 movie reviews in 365 days. Damn I am nuts!)
No comments:
Post a Comment