Starring: Michael Caine, Charlie Cox, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Paul Whitehouse, Ray Winstone, Michael Gambon, Francesca Annis
Distributor: StudioCanal
Runtime: 108 mins. Reviewed in Mar 2019
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Towards the end of King of Thieves, there is a reference to the 1952 Ealing Studios classic comedy, The Lavender Hill Mob, a surprising heist story, touches of comedy, led by veterans Alec Guinness and Stanley Holloway. There are certainly some old codgers in this one, touches of comedy, an extraordinary robbery from a security venue in London, Hatton Gardens. The present film is also from Ealing Studios. Though not nearly as good!
There are several pleasures to be had from the film, of course, especially from the veteran cast. Come to think of it, Michael Caine has been top-lining films for over 50 years. Tom Courtenay’s big movie breakthrough was in 1963 with Billy Liar. Jim Broadbent is almost 70 – but Paul Whitehouse and Ray Winstone are comparatively junior, just over 60. They make a motley crew – but, certainly living in their memories and their criminal achievements.
The film opens with Michael Caine as Brian Reader, out with his wife, Francesca Annis, who is terminally ill. His promises her that he will never go back to prison. But, even at the wake, the old lags join in conversation about past jobs. However, there is a young fellow there, listening into the conversation, going out with Brian and revealing that he has inside knowledge of Hatton Gardens, the layout, IT information. He seems a bit timid, Basil, played by Charlie Cox.
The robbery takes place rather earlier in the film than expected. The screenplay pays a lot of attention to the detail, getting in, Basil turning off alarms, breaking down walls (although their special instrument itself has a breakdown), eventually getting into the vault, ransacking all the safe boxes.
Not that everything goes smoothly although, for such a group to achieve so much given technology and security, the whole thing looks comparatively easy! But, Tom Courtenay has Kenny nods off on the job, Jim Broadbent’s Terry is rather cantankerous and eager for a stoush! At times, Paul Whitehouse as Cal Wood looks as if he would prefer to be back with his vegetable garden. And, they have a difficulty with Basil’s disguise, his wig and his being young.
While the thieves give the impression of general good fellowship, the screenplay reminds us that there is no honour among thieves. We see a falling out, some taking strong stances about Brian’s leadership, dispute about the carving up of the loot – and, poor Basil, a bit overwhelmed by what they have stolen as well by the group, agrees to take a cash handout. But Basil, we find, might look like a blushing violet but underneath (and in his pocket…).
One of the irritations of the film is the continued superfluous swearing which may be authentic but we might say, give us a break! Perhaps the older actors never got the opportunity to swear like this in their earlier films and are making up for lost time – and, as great an actor as he is, Tom Courtenay swearing is not the least bit convincing! (But, of course, other audiences may not notice it at all!).
The film was directed by celebrated documentary maker James Marsh whose feature films are less convincing though their range is interesting, Man on a Ledge, The Mercy. He does include one interesting feature, brief black-and-white clips of each of the main actors from one of their earlier films.
Peter Malone MSC is an Associate of the Australian Catholic Office for Film and Broadcasting.
12 Random Films…
