A quality caper movie based on a still murky true story from the early 1970s, The Bank Job efficiently entertains with a combination of larcenous derring-do and salacious scandal. Engagingly performed by Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows and a crew of quality character actors, the movie judiciously employs sexual perversions, a bit of ultra-violence and a sense of historical integrity to motivate it along to a reasonably satisfying conclusion.
Jason Statham plays somewhat against type by holding his punches till late in the movie, and then downing only a handful of adversaries. But his glowering presence effectively anchors the movie, giving his band of wannabe bank robbers the spine necessary to complete the job.
Saffron Burrows employs her gorgeous facial structure to great femme fatale effect. Her high and mighty cheekbones are the most spectacular since the glory days of Faye Dunaway, while her lips purse in a way that melts the will of stouthearted men (and women too, if her real life biography is to be believed).
A bit of the “ultra” (see Violence below) and glimpses of an orgy or two give this movie the necessary touch of vice.
As I always say: “Based on a true story” is Hollywood-speak for “Bring on the dancing girls.” Here the true story remains murky at best, but the depiction of it feels real enough.