Crime 101 – Film Review
by Fran Winston

Directed by: Bart Layton
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, Halle Berry

In cinemas February 13

Judging by the reactions following the screening I attended, this movie is going to be like Marmite. For every person who walked out raving about it, another was on the fence.

Certainly, no one could take umbrage at the fantastic cast featuring Marvel stars, an Oscar winner and a legitimate Hollywood legend. When you see an ensemble like this, you just know they will all bring their A-game, and that is indeed the case here.

Hemsworth plays a jewel thief, Mike Davis, whose sophisticated and non-violent heists along the 101 freeway have police baffled. Detective Lou Lubesnick (Ruffalo) thinks he has figured out his pattern, much to the derision of his colleagues, who don’t support his efforts to catch the elusive villain.

Meanwhile, Mike has his eye on a huge prize, and he enlists beleaguered and put-upon insurance broker Sharon Combs (Berry) to aid him in his efforts, promising her a huge payday. However, his former fence, Money (Nolte), is disgruntled that he has gone out on his own and employs psychotic biker Ormon (Keoghan) to intercept him.

This is dark and moody, and very tense. All of the characters are corrupt in their own way, although Layton attempts to make them likeable by ensuring the audience is aware of what has brought them to the point we meet them at. Despite this, there is no real hero or good guy to root for.

The characters are also cliched – particularly Keoghan’s thug, whose dialogue consists mainly of grunts. However, the cast all manage to make them engaging, and the ensemble has great chemistry.

The plot isn’t groundbreaking, and this is predictable and never really feels like it peaks. Despite these failings, it is entertaining, although most people will find it a grower rather than an instant wow.