The Italian Job Review
by Shannon Patrick Sullivan (shannon AT morgan DOT ucs DOT mun DOT ca)June 10th, 2003
THE ITALIAN JOB (2003) / ***
Directed by F Gary Gray. Screenplay by Donna Powers and Wayne Powers, based on the 1969 screenplay by Troy Kennedy-Martin. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton. Running time: 104 minutes. Rated AA by the MFCB. Reviewed on June 9th, 2003.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: Following a successful Venetian heist of a fortune in gold bars, John Bridger (Donald Sutherland) and his team find themselves betrayed by Steve (Edward Norton), who is jealous that John has made Charlie (Wahlberg) his heir-apparent. One year later, Charlie finally tracks Steve down. He reunites his old team and recruits John's safe-cracking daughter, Stella (Theron), to take their revenge and steal back the gold.
Review: There is nothing particularly demanding about "The Italian Job", and it's unlikely to be remembered ten years from now as a classic from the summer of '03. But it's nonetheless an adept work of escapism, an excuse to shift your brain into neutral for a couple of hours without killing off too many of the little grey cells. Much of the charm of "The Italian Job" lies in its characters, particularly the supporting cast. While the top names -- especially Wahlberg and Theron -- play rather dry, cliched characters, it's the secondary stars who really give it their all. Actors like Seth Green (as computer nerd Lyle, who claims that college roommate Shawn Fanning stole the Napster source code from him while he was taking -- you guessed it -- a nap), as well as Jason Statham and Mos Def (who have equally amusing "origin stories"), provide the film with some much-needed colour. Of course, they share the spotlight with the exciting action sequences, which are smartly-timed and -- unlike recent blockbuster "The Matrix Reloaded" -- never outstay their welcome. The only problem on this end, in fact, is the ludicrous trailer, which gives away literally every surprise in the movie. I'm certain that I would have enjoyed "The Italian Job" even more if I hadn't been provided with this unwanted roadmap of the film. The marketing gurus at Paramount should be ashamed.
Copyright © 2003 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
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