Review of The Italian Job (1969) by Rebecca H — 09 Aug 2009

The trouble with heist films is that often the heist is pulled off with dreary ease, thus undermining that whole plot and suspense thing. The Italian Job makes crime look childishly simple. It is short and straightforward and there is little to be gained from the experience. But at least it isn't dreary. Although, shame all those famous lines are now utterly meaningless thanks to pop culture.

Charlie (Michael Caine) inherits a gold heist in Italy and funded by upper-class criminal Mr Bridger (Noël Coward) he gets a team together. There are far too many characters and practically none of them are introduced. They go ahead with the plan, only to find the mafia out to stop them. Except the mafia really don't do that much. There's lots and lots of set up about how ruthless and competent they are, but when it actually gets around to the heist, exactly what do they do? They say they're going to stop Charlie and co, but don't. And while the mini getaway is extremely cool, is it even remotely believable? Have we slipped into a different genre? It could only possibly make sense if it was all intricately planned beforehand, which it seems clear it wasn't, and also that would involve omnipotence.

Bare on plot, overrun by faces but not character, and not remotely plausible, but fun.