The Italian Job *** (2003, Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron, Donald Sutherland, Seth Green, Jason Staham, Mos Def) – Classic Movie Review 5356

Mark Wahlberg takes over the old Michael Caine role as master thief Charlie Croker in director F Gary Gray’s fast-paced and enjoyable enough, if uninspired 2003 total revamp of the classic Sixties crime caper The Italian Job (1969). It is invested with an entertaining flashy surface and plenty of good, exciting action.

But why is it called The Italian Job when it is set in America? Ah yes, The American Job does not sound so groovy! Admittedly it does start off in Italy, where Charlie is stealing $35 million in gold bars from a heavily guarded safe in Venice in his role as part of smooth crook mastermind Mr Bridger’s gang.

Donald Sutherland takes over from Noël Coward as Mr Bridger, the Mr Big who gets involved with the evil villain Steve (Edward Norton) in the multi-million dollar gold heist in Venice.

Betrayed by Norton’s sneering bad guy, Charlie and crew (Jason Statham, Mos Def [Yasiin Bey], Seth Green) are now in Los Angeles and bent on revenge. Charlie copies Mr Bridger’s plans for a new heist, helped by Bridger’s daughter Stella (Charlize Theron), a professional safe cracker, and both of them are plotting vengeance on Norton’s sneering baddie Steve.

This noisy, revved-up, rumbustious crime caper lacks the cheeky charm of the original. But it still works pretty well, especially in its impressively staged action. The turbocharged action climaxes in a spectacular heist involving LA’s worst traffic jam (organised by the gang, of course), Mini Coopers, helicopters and the LA subway system.

The movie is not nearly quirky or fun enough, but taken as a simple, straightforward action thriller, it is fine. If Wahlberg is inexpressive and seems under-involved, there is compensation from Norton’s classy villain and Green’s funny turn as the gang’s geeky young computer wiz Lyle, capturing the right style. In a nod, no doubt, to Caine, Jason Statham is the token Cockney, as Handsome Rob, but unfortunately he does not get much to do.

The screenplay by Donna Powers and Wayne Powers is based on the 1969 screenplay by Troy Kennedy Martin. The film is shot by Wally Pfister. Also in the cast are Shawn Fanning, Christopher Moore Jr, Terrelle Jones, Valentine Ebunilo, Joel Homan, Erik Walker, Scott Adsit, Boris Lee Krutonog, Julie Costello, Oscar Nunez, Franky G, Marty Ryan, Aaron Speiser, Olek Krupa, Gawatti and Melanie Jayne.

It is the third of Wahlberg’s trilogy of Sixties remakes in quick succession, following Planet of the Apes (2001) and The Truth About Charlie (2003).

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 5356

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