There have been plenty of heist films, especially set in Los Angeles, but this one follows essentially 3 people whose worlds collide over a multi-million dollar hit. It’s filled with twists, misdirections, leading to dangerous situations and violence. Documentary award winner Bart Layton wrote and directed this, his first feature film, and it’s a doozy. Layton knew exactly who he wanted to play the characters he developed based on research and meticulous preparation. His characters’ stories and interactions are pieced together like a puzzle, having storyboarded every shot. The script was adapted from Don Winslow’s novella, a short story about a master thief who pulls high end robberies along L.A.’s Freeway 101 without leaving a trace.
Watch our interview with Writer/Director Bart Layton talk about putting together the puzzle pieces of this action- packed multi-million dollar heist film with characters whose stories collide.
When Layton got the script just the way he wanted, he offered it to his first choice of known actors Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Halle Berry, who all said yes. He wrote one of the parts for an actor he’s worked with before, Barry Keoghan (American Animals, Saltburn) who plays a tough punk biker, scary as hell. The motorcycle chase scenes Layton has Keoghan take off on will leave you breathless. Cinematographer Erik Wilson (Paddington 2, Better Man) had his work cut out for him, as did Editors Julian Hart and Jacob Secher Schulsinger. The eerie and sometimes pulsating score provided by Blanck Mass adds to suspense and high speed action.
Hemsworth plays Davis, in a very different role than anything he’s done before. Here, he’s quietly seething, so unlike the funny, boisterous superhero Thor you’ve seen in The Marvel franchise. He’s quiet, with less dialogue, and no comedy. with no background. Layton even had him pitch his deep voice higher. Davis is a thief with a talent for keeping invisible. You can almost see him gritting his teeth as he faces a new challenge to make one last huge score before quitting to disappear. Davis is smart, down to the last detail, able to plan and execute a plan without a hitch…”and nobody gets hurt.” But he does get side-tracked in the film when a pretty brunette, Maya (Monica Barbaro – A Complete Unknown) accidentally bumps into the back of his car. They eventually end up exchanging more than just information.
Colombo lives! Lou (Ruffalo) is a detective under pressure and sort of bumbles around. He is great as the dedicated investigator who can’t let go, so driven to solve this case. Lou is an unconventional cop with messy hair and clothes, and this invisible thief is driving him crazy. The silent perp only pulls off jobs along the 101 Freeway and disappears. Lou’s Police boss only wants him to bring up arrest numbers to make them look good, which is more important than delivering justice or protecting the public. That’s Lou’s real goal.
Layton added Halle Berry playing Sharon, a minor character in Winslow’s original short story. He expanded it into a lead role, wanting to have a strong female presence to balance the male heavy cast. Berry plays slick, smart and attractive. She has been promised a promotion at the high-end insurance firm she’s worked at for years. The promise is a partnership, and she isn’t getting any younger being strung along by the good old boys who hold the reins of power. When Davis presents an opportunity to score big money, will she take it? Unsure at first, it doesn’t take much convincing. Berry is on top of her game, in this #meToo role, seeking revenge.
Layton keeps you guessing directing the camera one way, then suddenly turning to surprise. Although long, this film’s fully-developed, fascinating characters, plus lots of action, keep your eyeballs glued to the screen. Not Seeing this would be a crime.
Amazon MGM Studios 2 hours 20 minutes R
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