The Bank Job (2008)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Directors C

  
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] A fairly simple, yet entertaining heist thriller. Although devoid of a consitent tone and pacing that's slightly uneven, The Bank Job is a highly likable and sometimes hilarious movie. It's greatest… More
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] A fairly simple, yet entertaining heist thriller. Although devoid of a consitent tone and pacing that's slightly uneven, The Bank Job is a highly likable and sometimes hilarious movie. It's greatest trait is the brilliant casting and the crisp direction by Roger Donaldson. It's a thoroughly entertaining crime flick with enough tension, slickness and style. It's not the best out there but it redeems itself enough to make it stand out from, your average heist movie.

• Justin Y

  
  Roger Donaldson decides to go thriller with <i>The Bank Job</i>.<p>Sporting nearly 110 minutes of screen time, <i>The Bank Job</i> is a bit long for its own good. Of course, that doesn't make it a waste of time; however, an elaborate heist flick… More
  Roger Donaldson decides to go thriller with <i>The Bank Job</i>.<p>Sporting nearly 110 minutes of screen time, <i>The Bank Job</i> is a bit long for its own good. Of course, that doesn't make it a waste of time; however, an elaborate heist flick this is not. In fact, the heist itself is a bit on the discouraging side when compared to the entire second half, which comes across like a mellow psychological thriller when multiple sets of characters are pit against each other.</p><p>While light on the action and violence that can be considered tame, the story ends up with more emphasis on nudity and sexuality that ends up playing an integral role in the plot.</p><p>Jason Statham is Jason Statham. He somehow gets by as the lead, despite being outdone in the acting department by the likes of Saffron Burrows, Stephen Campbell Moore, and Daniel Mays. Not to mention the other plethora of cast members popping in and out as the film progresses.</p><p>Like the heist that takes place in this picture, <i>The Bank Job</i> isn't a masterpiece. Yet, it contains enough to be better than a mediocre movie.</p>

• Chris W

  
  Based on true events, this is a heavy fictionalized and speculative look at one of the most infamous crimes in modern English history. Even if it may be fictionalized, just the very fact that this has some sort of basis in reality makes it worthwhile and interesting. But let's… More
  Based on true events, this is a heavy fictionalized and speculative look at one of the most infamous crimes in modern English history. Even if it may be fictionalized, just the very fact that this has some sort of basis in reality makes it worthwhile and interesting. But let's say for a minute that it was totally fictional and had no real life basis: it would still be just as awesome of a stylish caper flick. It has a retro old school feel to things (and it helps that it is a period piece), and there's nothing wrong with that. Nothing is cut and dried, and there's a lot of subplots and twists and turns, ins, outs, and whathaveyous, and, while some of it is a bit convoluted and confusing at times, I still found myself able to follow along pretty well for the most part. A group of shoody criminals are wrangled into pulling a bank robbery, but the stuff they're after has some serious potential for all kinds of shit to hit the fan, and as a result, makes the possible consequences far more weighty than the benefits. I could sense of bit of Guy Ritchie in here (mostly due to Statham), but Donaldson makes this one his own by having a killer soundtrack, a great sense of style and energy, decent pacing, and some moments of truly genuine suspense and tension. It gets pretty gritty and hairy at times, but it never feels too over the top or out of place. Probably the greatest thing this movie has going for it is the cast. Jason Statham is pretty much the only really known performer here. I've heard of Saffron Burrows, but in name only. The rest of the lot are played by a cool cast of unknowns that I'd love to see get some more work. Now, being a crime movie with Statham in it, you might have some preconceived notions of how things might play out. In a wonderful breath of fresh air, this is a film with subdued action, and a more nuanced turn by JS. I dare say he actually has to do a bit more than kick ass and be cool. Awesome. All in all, not a bad little film. It's not perfect, and some of it could have been a little more straight forward, but it's fun, has good performances, and sets up a really interesting scenario with how it tweaks this fun little subgenre (mostly having to do with the plot that I don't even want to try to explain). I give it a solid B.

• Jens S

  
  It is nice to see that Jason Statham can still get roles in smart films like from his Guy Ritchie past, not just the dumb actioners he filmed so many of recently. This British heist thriller is based on a true story, which is sometimes hard to believe when you look at the events, that… More
  It is nice to see that Jason Statham can still get roles in smart films like from his Guy Ritchie past, not just the dumb actioners he filmed so many of recently. This British heist thriller is based on a true story, which is sometimes hard to believe when you look at the events, that start out a little confusingly but soon create an inescapable undertow, making for a very enthralling second half. The heist itself is not even the end of it, the events afterwards are the real highlight of the film. Some rather surprising and cruel deaths remind you that this isn't Ocean's 14, but a rough British story where no one is safe. The exciting showdown does give Statham a moment to show his fighting skills, but that's not what this film is about. The likable characters and complex plot make for a highly enjoyable, sometimes cruel, sometimes light-hearted film that takes no prisoners.

• Lady D

  
  Surprisingly a very good film. If you're expecting a Hollywood Action film as I was (yes I didn't read up on it before I watched it) you'll be pleasantly surprised by this story. based on true events, told in a true London gangster tradition kind of way, with high… More
  Surprisingly a very good film. If you're expecting a Hollywood Action film as I was (yes I didn't read up on it before I watched it) you'll be pleasantly surprised by this story. based on true events, told in a true London gangster tradition kind of way, with high ranking envolvement. A very enjoyable Brit film, with a great cast. Statham is back playing the roles he is good at.

• Jeff "

  
  I was pleasantly surprised by The Bank Job. I thought that it be another run of the mill Jason Statham vehicle, but it wasn't. The film was a departure from his usual work, which I thought was refreshing. A group of novice criminals are hired to do a bank robbery, one that would… More
  I was pleasantly surprised by The Bank Job. I thought that it be another run of the mill Jason Statham vehicle, but it wasn't. The film was a departure from his usual work, which I thought was refreshing. A group of novice criminals are hired to do a bank robbery, one that would shock Britain, and one that would involve British intelligence and the Royal family. Statham displays his talents very well, and I think that this is best role since Snatch. The Bank Job is a well crafted heist film, one that is very different from all the other films in the past. The Bank Job is a solid, tense action film with a good dose of drama to boot. The story is inspired by real events, and that makes it much more enjoyable and interesting. The cast are terrific on screen, and the film is yet another solid directorial effort Roger Donaldson who is a phenomenal director, helms this production, and he yet again creates a film that is stunning, entertaining and appealing to the viewer. Donaldson's previous resume of work speaks for itself. With The Bank Job, director Donaldson has made another fine film. The Bank Job is a must see film for any heist film fan, and they will not be disappointed. The Bank Job is one of the best heist films, and given time it will surely become a classic of the genre. A must see.

• Film C

  
  i labsolutely love this movie, its not often that i dilike Statham movies anyway (accept for crank 2) but this is a very funny (if not typical) Statham movie. Its funny, exciting, and action packed what more could you ask from a movie. A very enjoyable movie and worth the watch.

• Aditya G

  
  First up, do not be bogged down by the title..."The Bank Job" is not yet another done to death formula featuring the bank robbers' "one last heist before going clean, that has to go wrong"...something that you may have seen in countless pictures recently. If… More
  First up, do not be bogged down by the title..."The Bank Job" is not yet another done to death formula featuring the bank robbers' "one last heist before going clean, that has to go wrong"...something that you may have seen in countless pictures recently. If it is any consolation, this is quite possibly one of the most refreshingly original caper movies I've seen in recent times..quite different from the usual fare; what's more, it is based on the true story of the 1971 Baker Street Robbery of central London (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker_Street_robbery). It is kinda difficult to put down the plot synopsis of "The Bank Job" in words...I mean there is so much going on here, you hardly have time to blink. But I will make an attempt to state it in a nutshell (I hope). 1970: Somewhere in the Caribbean, a raunchy threesome act is being captured on camera by an unknown person. 1971: A militant gangster and a self-proclaimed black revolutionary and civil rights activist by the name of Michael X (Peter de Jersey) is operating freely and carrying on with his activities without fear of the metropolitan police, because he has a trump card under his sleeve which renders him untouchable. He claims to have scandalous pictures of a British Royal, Princess Margaret in compromising positions (possibly the aforementioned incident in the Caribbean?). The pictures are believed to be hidden away in a safety deposit box in the vault of Lloyds Bank and it is the task of the MI5 (Military Intelligence, Section 5) to retrieve these pictures somehow and save themselves and the Royal family a lot of embarrassment. Tim Everett (Richard Lintern) a shrewd MI5 operative has been given the difficult task, which is to become "The Bank Job". Can he pull it off? Parallel stories centering around one mobster by the name of Vogel (David Suchet) who keeps a record of all the corrupt cops he has to pay off to run his business, and a high class brothel owner Sonia (Sharon Maughan), whose clients include some top government officials somehow find a way into this chaotic situation! One has to compliment director Roger Donaldson. He does a pretty solid job of handling the taut screenplay by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, one where there are so many characters involved, yet at no point are we confused about any particular character regarding his/her purpose in the film and the basis of his/her actions. It all plays out smoothly and the proceedings are clear enough, in spite of the razor sharp editing by John Gilbert. Things move at breakneck speed in this film and you don't have time to even blink or go in the kitchen to grab a drink or a snack. Right from the first frame, featuring T. Rex's "Get it on", "The Bank Job" sucks you into its rapid pulsating rhythm that never lets up and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Like all British crime thrillers, this one is stylishly shot and with a slightly sepia tone (to get that "70s" feel perhaps?). But while at the outset it may seem to look like a "Lock Stock..." like crime thriller with a crime scenario juxtaposed with a dose of dark humour, so is not the case, as "The Bank Job" takes a pretty serious tone in the latter half. The film picks up more steam in the latter half when 'the job' is on the verge of completion and is eventually discovered. It is here that things start to take an unexpected turn for everyone involved and they try their best to stay afloat in the whole matter. Thankfully none of the events or outcomes seem forced (well...maybe barring one or a couple at the most) or unconvincing and it all falls in place, leading us to a fairly satisfying ending. Some situations may seem a tad implausible, but then let's not forget that this is a true story and minor instances of cinematic liberties taken by the filmmakers are excusable in this kind of a film. The actors..most of them do a decent job; Jason Statham does his job dependably well, but for some reason doesn't get the 70s look right, and looks just like he did in Transporter, with the addition of a week old stubble. Keeley Hawes is good too in a small role as Statham's wife. David Suchet, Saffron Burrows and Richard Lintern are just fine. Check out "The Bank Job". It is a well-made, thrilling tale of sleaze, scandal and corruption and could very well be one of the finest caper films of recent times. Recommended!

• Kristijonas F

  
  A refreshing entry into the Heist-film genre.

• Ross C

  
  Tense crime thriller inspired by a conspiracy theory about a real bank-heist in 70's London. Jason Statham is great in the hard man role but utterly useless when his character requires any more depth. An engrossing plot with many entertaining British characters and a Cypriot too!

• Emily A

  
  The Bank Job is as tight and entertaining a heist movie as I ever hope to see. The characters and the story world are all really well fleshed-out that it's hard not to become engrossed. What in most movies would be a simple matter of smash-and-grab is turned into an intricate… More
  The Bank Job is as tight and entertaining a heist movie as I ever hope to see. The characters and the story world are all really well fleshed-out that it's hard not to become engrossed. What in most movies would be a simple matter of smash-and-grab is turned into an intricate caper fuelled by ulterior motives and a over-arching, serpentine conspiracy. It's fascinating to watch. The characters are really likeable, the villain is downright dastardly and all the events if the plot are underlined by an infectious and undeniable sense of fun. What a pleasure. I love Statham too, but he's just a small part of what makes this movie such a treat.

• xGary X

  
  A London model is arrested for drugs trafficking by MI5 and blackmailed into arranging the robbery of a Bank vault to reclaim some embarrassing photographs used by a corrupt black activist to obtain immunity. The robbery is successful but the vault also contained incriminating ledgers… More
  A London model is arrested for drugs trafficking by MI5 and blackmailed into arranging the robbery of a Bank vault to reclaim some embarrassing photographs used by a corrupt black activist to obtain immunity. The robbery is successful but the vault also contained incriminating ledgers owned by some serious villains identifying corrupt police officers and more photos that could embarrass high level members of Her Majesty's government leaving the robbers in a very sticky situation. I wish Statham whould stop trying to be the cockney Van-Damme because this is what he is really good at. One criticism you could instantly level at this film is that the plot is so far-fetched, but bizarrely, it's actually a true story. At the beginning, it appears to be a decent if slightly run-of-the-mill heist movie as the usual collection of lovable East End villains plan and execute their scam but it's actually after the event that this film gets really interesting. The tone darkens and as it gets more hard-boiled and grim, the better it gets. The direction can seem a little hurried as it tries to cram in all the relevant threads, but solid writing intertwines the several sub plots cleverly and its constantly entertaining. Darker, grittier and above all better than all of the Ocean's films and a great, unpretentious, old-fashioned British crime drama that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best of them.

• Mike S

  
  Terrific heist flick and one of the best British films I've ever seen. It starts off quite slowly, but gradually gets better as the plot moves along. The pacing is absolutely brilliant (which to me is always a key element when it comes to my overall enjoyment of the story) and it… More
  Terrific heist flick and one of the best British films I've ever seen. It starts off quite slowly, but gradually gets better as the plot moves along. The pacing is absolutely brilliant (which to me is always a key element when it comes to my overall enjoyment of the story) and it also features a great deal of interesting characters. I had a preconception that it wouldn't be anything special, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Because this transcends itself high above the usual standard, and even surpasses films like <i>Snatch</i> and <i>Ocean's Eleven</i> (altough they have a little higher re-watch value). That being said, this is positively something I can recommend in good conscience. A true sleeper hit!

• Dean M

  
  A perfect example of why the finest movie-making talent in Hollywood is British. And possibly the best caper movie of recent times. In the story of a 1971 bank robbery begins, the setting in London, the parade of seemingly unconnected stories and characters is rather confusing,… More
  A perfect example of why the finest movie-making talent in Hollywood is British. And possibly the best caper movie of recent times. In the story of a 1971 bank robbery begins, the setting in London, the parade of seemingly unconnected stories and characters is rather confusing, complex, disjointed. But stay with it - there is a crescendo of excitement and excellence. Everything is under-played, the characters are superbly realistic and believable, and the script sharp as a pin. And the cast is a brilliant ensemble - Jason Statham does a surprisingly admirable job in the film. And Saffron Burrows is brilliant as the slightly suspicious Martine for the first half, unfortunately after the heist she has little to do and the character never felt fully concluded.

• Conner R

  
  Just such a cool movie and excellent heist plot. Usually movies like this are either too silly or too serious, this balanced every emotion perfectly. Not only is it on par with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, in many ways it's better. I love the 70s look and feel, it added a… More
  Just such a cool movie and excellent heist plot. Usually movies like this are either too silly or too serious, this balanced every emotion perfectly. Not only is it on par with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, in many ways it's better. I love the 70s look and feel, it added a lot of personality and separated itself from the Ocean's movies or ones like it. Jason Statham not only has the coolest personality known to mankind, he'll beat you to a pulp in ten seconds flat and steal your girlfriend whilst jump kicking you in the face. This is not a throwaway plot at all, it sticks with you and delivers on all expectations.

• Richard C

  
  B+

• Al S

  
  A smart, stylish, exciting, hard-edged, blisteringly funny and wickedly entertaining crime-thriller. A total blast. A very vintage, clever, enjoyable, pulse-pounding and bold heist film that scores. It's thrilling, tense and allot of fun. It's a real steal. Loaded with twist… More
  A smart, stylish, exciting, hard-edged, blisteringly funny and wickedly entertaining crime-thriller. A total blast. A very vintage, clever, enjoyable, pulse-pounding and bold heist film that scores. It's thrilling, tense and allot of fun. It's a real steal. Loaded with twist and tricks that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end of this amazing true story that has lots to offer like sex, corruption, thievery, murder and style. Great action and surprises. A sharply written and terrifically crafted movie. It's brilliant, dazzling and exhilarating. A hip and cool soundtrack of old-school tunes. A thriller that actually thrills with plenty of brains and humor. A totally enjoyable and relentless ride. Crime hasn't been this much fun since Oceans Eleven or The Italian Job. Jason Statham gives a gritty and fantastic performance, showing charm and captivating star power. Saffron Burrows is terrific. A great cast of charming, compelling and rich characters. An old-school adrenaline-fulled cocktail.

• paul s

  
  There's that old saw that "truth is stranger than fiction", and that applies wholeheartedly to this true story where a bank heist "sponsored" by MI6 is at the center of the action. Besides all the mixed motives, the cops on the take, and high politicos who… More
  There's that old saw that "truth is stranger than fiction", and that applies wholeheartedly to this true story where a bank heist "sponsored" by MI6 is at the center of the action. Besides all the mixed motives, the cops on the take, and high politicos who need to have their indescretions swept under the carpet, there lies the small time hoods who yearn to step up and make the big score - which they somehow manage to succeed at in spite of their sometimes hilarious lack of professionalism. It's that lack of professionalism that gives the film humanity and humour and makes it all the more "real", amidst all the amoral charactors that include David Suchet (of Hercule Pierot fame)as a gangster who has most of the "coppers" on his payroll. The film does a wonderful job of immersing you in the 1970 era, a time before all the techno wizardry that is such standard fare in most modern films of this genre, as evidenced by the major plot device of using walkie-talkies to communicate; which of course gets overheard by a citizen ham radio opperator. There is no way that this heist could have been successful today, and yet you hardly notice as you get swept up in the world that the film creates (which reminded me of "Life On Mars"). The only misstep that the film makes is the over emphasis on the "love" angle, which, for me, produced the film's only wooden moments.

• Lewis C

  
  I liked The Bank Job a lot. It's not much like the average Jason Statham movie, which I guess can be attributed to the fact that it's based on a true story. It's nice to see him in a differnet kind of movie for a change. Everything is a little subdued in a British… More
  I liked The Bank Job a lot. It's not much like the average Jason Statham movie, which I guess can be attributed to the fact that it's based on a true story. It's nice to see him in a differnet kind of movie for a change. Everything is a little subdued in a British kind of way, and the 70's vibe is definitely a plus. The Banl Job is a very nice crime caper, without most of the less realistic elements of a lot of crime movies.

• Anthony L

  
  This is a great little film. Good plot, acting and story and it?s all true! Roll on 2054 when we can finally find out who's in the photo! They could have easily sexed this one up and missed out certain facts but it didn't and I was surprised and impressed by how detailed the… More
  This is a great little film. Good plot, acting and story and it?s all true! Roll on 2054 when we can finally find out who's in the photo! They could have easily sexed this one up and missed out certain facts but it didn't and I was surprised and impressed by how detailed the story actually was. Hollywood please take note!

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