CRIME 101

Serial jewel thief Mike Davis (Chris Hemsworth) has eluded authorities by adhering to a strict set of rules – leave no DNA at the scene and never commit an act of violence. When Detective Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo) notices that a series of high end robberies are clustered along Los Angeles’ Route 101, he identifies they’re the work of a single operator. As Mike prepares for one last job he becomes the target of Ormon (Barry Keoghan), a volatile and unpredictable criminal who wants him out of the picture. With the pressure mounting and Lubesnick on his tail, Mike must decide when enough is enough. In a case of excellent casting, this heavy hitting ensemble is rounded out by Halle Berry as Sharon Colvin, a disillusioned insurance broker for the ultra-wealthy, and an unrecognisable Nick Nolte as a weathered fixer known as Money. Despite Ruffalo being typecast in his seventh role as a slightly unkempt but tenacious law enforcement officer, the look is so familiar for him that it feels right. Hemsworth takes a step back from his usual hyper-masculine persona to portray the awkward, socially anxious Mike with a relatable vulnerability. The film’s well balanced pacing alternates between strong character development and punchy action. Los Angeles is portrayed with gritty realism, exposing the class divide and using cinematography that favours deep shadows and harsh natural light. The practical stunts are impressive, particularly Hemsworth’s work behind the wheel. Pulling a “Tom Cruise”, he performs nearly all of his own driving stunts, reaching speeds of 110 km/h (80 mph) through the streets of downtown LA. While the story loses some of its believability towards the end, it still holds its ground as a solid heist thriller. Made for the big screen!