Maiden Heist (2008) The Maiden Heist quickly sold out at its opening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. It's a light-hearted caper that makes for undemanding viewing. It is a fairly entertaining comedy heist film starring Morgan Freeman, William Macy, and Christopher Walken. Plot. Great art has its protectors every day in the major museums. Three guards are more than dedicated to the job they do. Their museum brings in modern work that has no appeal to the guards, and the museum authorities plan to sell the classic pieces, sending them elsewhere in the world. When Roger (Christopher Walken) and George (William H. Macy) and Charles (Morgan Freeman) find their long-beloved work transplanted to Europe, they not only miss their favorite art pieces, but they make plans to steal the works with which they have become obsessed. Roger becomes the mastermind of an inside plot to perform the biggest art heist in the history of their museum. First each must obtain a forgery; then, they have to smuggle the forgeries into the museum and find a way to make the switches. The heist is complicated by Roger's intrusive wife - he's promised her a trip to Florida for their anniversary - and George's proclivity for taking his clothes off when standing in front of the warrior statue he loves. THE MAIDEN HEIST was originally going to have a theatrical release, but the bankruptcy of the Yari Film Group put the film in a direct to DVD status. It feels like a 70s movie that Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon would have done, where slightly nutty characters would made the film but that's not the case anymore. This is a comedy that might make Woody Allen fans recall (affectionately) Small Time Crooks, even though this film is very different to Allen's caper. The Maiden Heist isn't another turkey unceremoniously dumped to Netflix. It's an above average straight-to-DVD effort, it is weaker than one might expect considering its power stars in the cast . It's really quite an entertaining comedy though more could have been done but I like it OK as it was. Not a great film but not a bad film 3 stars.
42 Reviews
A fun little movie
kosmasp3 August 2010
That could. Not because of the story so much, but more because of the actors that are in it. And is it a bad thing, that this movie works mainly because of the three main actors? Don't be fooled by the mention of Breckin Meyers though, he doesn't have a big role in this (just in case you're a fan of his).
No this movie belongs to the "big three". Mainly to Christopher Walken, because he is the lead. But everyone else gets his time and they are really great. They have funny scenes and the movie roles along quite nicely. Maybe if it had a better script, a greater antagonist (there really isn't one), it could have been better. But it is a nice watch and a good film.
No this movie belongs to the "big three". Mainly to Christopher Walken, because he is the lead. But everyone else gets his time and they are really great. They have funny scenes and the movie roles along quite nicely. Maybe if it had a better script, a greater antagonist (there really isn't one), it could have been better. But it is a nice watch and a good film.
A fun little Movie with a Super Cast
docm-3230430 October 2020
When I saw the cast, I put this on my watchlist, regardless of any ratings. Christopher Walken is his usual freak self and wait until you see Morgan Freeman and Macy's haircuts...hilarious on their own. I found the film engaging and humorous...not a roll on the floor comedy, just humorous. Worth a watch
Like Freeman's THE CODE, a mix of the decent and not-so-decent
Wizard-825 November 2009
What's up with Morgan Freeman appearing in heist movies that go direct to video? Just a few months ago we got THE CODE, and now we have THE MAIDEN HEIST. Actually, it does appear that THE MAIDEN HEIST was originally going to have a theatrical release, but the bankruptcy of the Yari Film Group put an end to those plans and no other distributor seemed interested in releasing it to theaters.
Based on that fact, you might think that this is a bad movie, but it's not. There are some positive things about it. The production values are pretty strong for what was reportedly a somewhat limited budget; nothing about the movie looks cheap. The planning of the heist and the execution of the heist have some believable complications, and what's done about them are believable as well. Some humorous touches are amusing. Freeman, Walken, and Macy play a likable bunch of fellows that you hope will succeed.
But there's also some not-so-decent things about the movie. The violent opening fantasy sequence seems way out of place with its harsh tone. Except for Walken's character, we don't learn too much about the characters in the movie. There are some unexplained things in the movie, like where the thieves got the van and how Walken's character adjusted the vacation he was going to take with his wife. The main problem, however, is that while the movie is refreshingly low key, it's TOO low key. It's lacking a bit more edge to it. Some more excitement or some more laughs would have helped a lot.
Maybe it's best that this didn't land in theaters; I wouldn't have recommended to pay full price to see it in a theater. But if you like caper movies, like any or all of the three lead actors, and you can see it for little or no cost, it's an acceptable time waster.
Based on that fact, you might think that this is a bad movie, but it's not. There are some positive things about it. The production values are pretty strong for what was reportedly a somewhat limited budget; nothing about the movie looks cheap. The planning of the heist and the execution of the heist have some believable complications, and what's done about them are believable as well. Some humorous touches are amusing. Freeman, Walken, and Macy play a likable bunch of fellows that you hope will succeed.
But there's also some not-so-decent things about the movie. The violent opening fantasy sequence seems way out of place with its harsh tone. Except for Walken's character, we don't learn too much about the characters in the movie. There are some unexplained things in the movie, like where the thieves got the van and how Walken's character adjusted the vacation he was going to take with his wife. The main problem, however, is that while the movie is refreshingly low key, it's TOO low key. It's lacking a bit more edge to it. Some more excitement or some more laughs would have helped a lot.
Maybe it's best that this didn't land in theaters; I wouldn't have recommended to pay full price to see it in a theater. But if you like caper movies, like any or all of the three lead actors, and you can see it for little or no cost, it's an acceptable time waster.
Good actors & a predictable storyline ... an innocent satirical comedy.
CinemaAddict25 October 2009
This film has less to do with art than some might suggest. Rather, this great satire is centred on the ridicule of the modern man. Having rid himself of any history, cultural belief and, ultimately, of his identity, in the name of liberty, equality and multiculturalism while the superficial industrial regimes imposed their utilitarian philosophy during the last couple centuries, the meaninglessness of the modern man's life is ever so flagrant.
Peter Hewitt casts great actors to play the role of museum security guards who have spent the better part of their lives standing still. Each of these guards becomes attached to and finds meaning for his life in one of the pieces of art of the museum. However unexciting the main storyline might be, Hewitt uses the script to build this satire on so much realism that it makes for a good comedy.
If you are looking for a light and innocent comedy, can look past a couple stereotypes and predictable twists, than you might enjoy this movie.
Peter Hewitt casts great actors to play the role of museum security guards who have spent the better part of their lives standing still. Each of these guards becomes attached to and finds meaning for his life in one of the pieces of art of the museum. However unexciting the main storyline might be, Hewitt uses the script to build this satire on so much realism that it makes for a good comedy.
If you are looking for a light and innocent comedy, can look past a couple stereotypes and predictable twists, than you might enjoy this movie.
Based on Danish movie
thomasbager8 May 2011
During this movie it slowly occurred to me that its, very much based on a series of danish movies named "Olsen Banden" which translates = "The Olsen Gang" Christoffer Walkens wife's character is completely based on the wife of one of the characters in "Olsen Banden" as well, even their dilemma about cancelling their vacation, because of the heist, is taken from the same series of movies.
In this clip they are talking about having to cancel their vacation as well, notice she speaks, and dresses the same :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAAAQaHaDlg ...even the danish security guard in the end of the movie, is like a tribute to the danish movies, because the jacket that he wears would certainlu not be worn in todays Denmark, but was featured many times in these danish 70's movies. Also, even the mention of Denmark is a tribute. So the makers of "The Maiden Heist" certainly haven't tried to hide the fact that they were influenced by "Olsen Banden".
In this clip they are talking about having to cancel their vacation as well, notice she speaks, and dresses the same :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAAAQaHaDlg ...even the danish security guard in the end of the movie, is like a tribute to the danish movies, because the jacket that he wears would certainlu not be worn in todays Denmark, but was featured many times in these danish 70's movies. Also, even the mention of Denmark is a tribute. So the makers of "The Maiden Heist" certainly haven't tried to hide the fact that they were influenced by "Olsen Banden".
Highly Entertaining
davyd-0223715 April 2021
Christopher Walken plays an ageing security guard at a museum and has an admiration for 1 painting, as does Morgan Freeman. In William H Macys case - his is a statue. When the museum plan to send all 3 items abroad - the 3 come together to remove the original items to their own possession. Wonderfully entertaining film, well worth watching. Would have scored higher save for the fact that in some scenes theres snow outside the airport and museum and 10 seconds later its gone!....Oops! Marcia Gay Harden is in there too as Walkens wife.
Very enjoyable
dierregi20 September 2023
It's easy to see that the target of this movie is middle aged folks, but what's wrong with that and most of all, it's not like only the younger deserve to be entertained.
The three main characters are the great Freeman, Macy and especially Walken, as the protagonist Roger, one of the most "normal" characters I ever saw Walken playing. Except that Roger is a museum guard and "in love" with the maiden in a painting.
When the museum decides to ship the maiden and other works of art to Denmark, Roger panics and enlist two other guards, respectively in love with a small painting of a girl pouring milk to cats and a bronze athlete's statue, to steal their objects of desire.
What ensues is hilarious and I even laughed out loud more than once, because the thieves are elderly, not athletic and unexperienced and yet don't want to give up. Real fun and excellent interpretations by the whole cast.
The three main characters are the great Freeman, Macy and especially Walken, as the protagonist Roger, one of the most "normal" characters I ever saw Walken playing. Except that Roger is a museum guard and "in love" with the maiden in a painting.
When the museum decides to ship the maiden and other works of art to Denmark, Roger panics and enlist two other guards, respectively in love with a small painting of a girl pouring milk to cats and a bronze athlete's statue, to steal their objects of desire.
What ensues is hilarious and I even laughed out loud more than once, because the thieves are elderly, not athletic and unexperienced and yet don't want to give up. Real fun and excellent interpretations by the whole cast.
.
JoeBscully19 June 2014
It was a sweet family movie. It had lots of plot holes that young kids might not pick up on (and maybe a bit too much of William H. Macy's ass) but to be honest it was a forgettable movie that wasn't much of a comedy. The way it was advertised was completely deceiving. The DVD cover showed the 3 characters with guns. The movie had nearly no guns. It even showed the villains in the character Roger's imagination ( which lasted about 40 seconds.) I watched this movie expecting a high action cleverly thought out heist movie. The cover made the movie look darker and a thriller. Instead I got a movie full of nearly no jokes, awkward hugs and some guy getting naked for statues. NOT AN ACTION MOVIE
cool fun film
dexteruk7 February 2010
I really Enjoyed this film, and it was full of some suspense. Its a rather different film for sure. Other reviewers do not like how its unbelevable, but have they worked in such a place for any period of time, are they art lovers themselves? are they ever captivated by anything in life. I think this shows very well the obsessive nature of people. Anything can take a persons fancy, and become an obsession, a piece of sting, how mundane it is to some, could be someones obsession, and they could know all manner of things about it.
so in that respect this film touches on a good subject, has fun moments, and is not made to be a serious film, its a fun film, just i think people need to relax more and learn to just enjoy it.
so in that respect this film touches on a good subject, has fun moments, and is not made to be a serious film, its a fun film, just i think people need to relax more and learn to just enjoy it.
Strangely marketed but surprisingly decent.
Pjtaylor-96-13804430 August 2018
'The Heist (2013)' is a straight-to-video comedy caper strangely marketed, mainly through a terribly photoshopped front cover, as a gritty thriller, one that has two similar but distinct titles not clearly separated by territory and has had a limited international release spread across a number of years, to the point that it's actual release date is difficult to nail down. Despite all this, it also happens to be a relatively decent affair, one that passes the time with its pleasantly entertaining plot and pretty good central performances (William H. Macey stands out as the best). There are a bevy of strange choices, including plot points that don't really connect together all too well and some character motivations - and actions - that are downright bizarre, but there are a couple of chuckles here and there and the whole thing goes by pretty much without a hitch. It's really not bad for a bargain-bin flick that doesn't know when it was released, what it wants to be marketed as or even what it's called. 6/10
Marginal comedy
SnoopyStyle26 February 2014
Roger Barlow (Christopher Walken) day dreams as security guard in a museum. His big joy is to spend the day in front of the painting 'The Lonely Maiden'. Then he finds out that the new curator is selling many of the works including his Maiden. Other security guards Charles Peterson (Morgan Freeman) and George McLendon (William H. Macy) are in the same boat, and they come up with a scheme to steal their art pieces.
This is a marginal comedy. The three guys are great actors, but there aren't that many funny jokes. There's a couple of cute moments. And Macy gets naked. That was weird. It just needs an energetic improvisational comedian in the mix, and a funnier script.
This is a marginal comedy. The three guys are great actors, but there aren't that many funny jokes. There's a couple of cute moments. And Macy gets naked. That was weird. It just needs an energetic improvisational comedian in the mix, and a funnier script.
An unusual comedy platter
Chris_Docker29 June 2009
Art shouldn't just be for highbrow types. A painting can have special meaning. Even for an ordinary blue-collar Joe. At least that's the message from director Pete Hewitt. This is knockabout comedy that might make Woody Allen fans affectionately recall Small Time Crooks, even though this film is very different to Allen's caper and wears its point on its sleeve. "Great art is not solely the domain of the connoisseur," says Hewitt. "Anyone can be emotionally transported by a few paint smudges on a canvas." Hewitt (Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, Thunderpants) has here come up with a grand robbery that is for love rather than money. Three misfit security guards at the museum embark on a dangerous journey to save the things they hold dear.
Decorated with a galaxy of stars, the Maiden Heist has been avidly awaited by fans worrying if it will see the light of day. In December 2008, the distribution arm of the Yari Film Group responsible filed for bankruptcy. Yari's Emily Lambert e-mailed the Globe saying, "I don't anticipate any screenings of The Maiden Heist in the near future," and producer Rob Paris went scrambling to find a new distributor. With a comparatively modest budget of $20 million, Paris feels he has got great value. "Our movie needed the scope the size of the Worcester Art Museum," he says. "It gave the film a look, a richness, that we otherwise wouldn't have gotten." The WAM is used to establish the interior of the fictional Boston Art Museum (BAM) in which our story takes place.
Scriptwriter Michael LeSieur had a top comedy actor in his previous hit (You, Me & Dupree) in the form of Owen Wilson. In The Maiden Heist, the chameleon-like talents of William H Macy first spring to mind as being suited to comedy, due to his Fargo fame, when he played the police story with subtle humour. Christopher Walken and Morgan Freeman are better known for their serious roles, but we should remember that Walken has also starred in comedy (Wedding Crashers, Hairspray), even if it is to play the straight man against the likes of Owen Wilson. Freeman has had brushes with his funny side in Bruce Almighty. Heading up the supporting cast is Marcia Gay Harden, who won an Oscar playing an artist (Lee Krasner) in the art biopic, Pollock. But it is probably fair to say that all these great stars are known primarily for their power to bring great depth to serious dramatic roles. There were moments in The Maiden Heist where I felt they were bumbling through the comedy rather than playing bumbling heisters. I found this a bit worrying as I have deep respect for their work. But maybe other viewers could find the apparent mismatch of seemingly inappropriate casting oddly rewarding.
The big star of The Maiden Heist though is of course the central painting. Roger (Christopher Walken) stares at 'The Lonely Maiden' for years. First as a way to pass time, but now as a way to address or replace what is lacking in his life. The painting has become his passion. His obsession. Supplanting the passion he once felt for his wife. This particular artwork in the film was especially created by painter Jeremy Lipking. "When I first met with the director he opened up the Gabriel Weisberg book Beyond Impressionism: the Naturalist Impulse, (which is probably the most worn out book on my shelf) and said, 'We need something like this.' A painting in the manner of Naturalist painters George Clausen, Emile Friant and Jules Bastien Lepage. I had to finish the painting in 7 days. It normally would have taken me a month or longer to do something this size. I got artist model Toni Czechorosky help me out with the period costume." Macy's character, on the other hand, is obsessed with a statue. Creating it involved photographing a naked Macy from a three-hundred and sixty degree perspective. (The photographs went to a sculptor in Los Angeles, who brought in another model and photographed him in the same fashion before creating a mould for the statue.)
The Maiden Heist quickly sold out at its opening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. It's a light-hearted caper that makes for undemanding viewing. I don't see audiences flocking to galleries as a result, but who knows? While Roger might find his wife has been his lonely maiden all along, many viewers may more identify with the bit where he flits to Florida with the missis. Missing out on the art appreciation stuff seems a convenient bypass. If this is the case, the film is somewhat hypocritical in its claim about art and the general masses. It uses the notion to entertain without encouraging us to seriously engage. LeSieur, who wrote the script as a film school thesis project, may well be an art enthusiast. But the idea that ordinary people don't love art is a bit worrying to those of us that do. Shortly after I visited (during extensive bar-hopping) the beautiful Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, it was victimised by amateur thieves who posed as security guards. If you see me exit the Tate Modern with a naked William H Macy under my arm, please shoot me. Or take him back – he is a high-value asset of the acting profession and should not be high-jacked. "But it was a maiden heist, officer. . ."
Decorated with a galaxy of stars, the Maiden Heist has been avidly awaited by fans worrying if it will see the light of day. In December 2008, the distribution arm of the Yari Film Group responsible filed for bankruptcy. Yari's Emily Lambert e-mailed the Globe saying, "I don't anticipate any screenings of The Maiden Heist in the near future," and producer Rob Paris went scrambling to find a new distributor. With a comparatively modest budget of $20 million, Paris feels he has got great value. "Our movie needed the scope the size of the Worcester Art Museum," he says. "It gave the film a look, a richness, that we otherwise wouldn't have gotten." The WAM is used to establish the interior of the fictional Boston Art Museum (BAM) in which our story takes place.
Scriptwriter Michael LeSieur had a top comedy actor in his previous hit (You, Me & Dupree) in the form of Owen Wilson. In The Maiden Heist, the chameleon-like talents of William H Macy first spring to mind as being suited to comedy, due to his Fargo fame, when he played the police story with subtle humour. Christopher Walken and Morgan Freeman are better known for their serious roles, but we should remember that Walken has also starred in comedy (Wedding Crashers, Hairspray), even if it is to play the straight man against the likes of Owen Wilson. Freeman has had brushes with his funny side in Bruce Almighty. Heading up the supporting cast is Marcia Gay Harden, who won an Oscar playing an artist (Lee Krasner) in the art biopic, Pollock. But it is probably fair to say that all these great stars are known primarily for their power to bring great depth to serious dramatic roles. There were moments in The Maiden Heist where I felt they were bumbling through the comedy rather than playing bumbling heisters. I found this a bit worrying as I have deep respect for their work. But maybe other viewers could find the apparent mismatch of seemingly inappropriate casting oddly rewarding.
The big star of The Maiden Heist though is of course the central painting. Roger (Christopher Walken) stares at 'The Lonely Maiden' for years. First as a way to pass time, but now as a way to address or replace what is lacking in his life. The painting has become his passion. His obsession. Supplanting the passion he once felt for his wife. This particular artwork in the film was especially created by painter Jeremy Lipking. "When I first met with the director he opened up the Gabriel Weisberg book Beyond Impressionism: the Naturalist Impulse, (which is probably the most worn out book on my shelf) and said, 'We need something like this.' A painting in the manner of Naturalist painters George Clausen, Emile Friant and Jules Bastien Lepage. I had to finish the painting in 7 days. It normally would have taken me a month or longer to do something this size. I got artist model Toni Czechorosky help me out with the period costume." Macy's character, on the other hand, is obsessed with a statue. Creating it involved photographing a naked Macy from a three-hundred and sixty degree perspective. (The photographs went to a sculptor in Los Angeles, who brought in another model and photographed him in the same fashion before creating a mould for the statue.)
The Maiden Heist quickly sold out at its opening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. It's a light-hearted caper that makes for undemanding viewing. I don't see audiences flocking to galleries as a result, but who knows? While Roger might find his wife has been his lonely maiden all along, many viewers may more identify with the bit where he flits to Florida with the missis. Missing out on the art appreciation stuff seems a convenient bypass. If this is the case, the film is somewhat hypocritical in its claim about art and the general masses. It uses the notion to entertain without encouraging us to seriously engage. LeSieur, who wrote the script as a film school thesis project, may well be an art enthusiast. But the idea that ordinary people don't love art is a bit worrying to those of us that do. Shortly after I visited (during extensive bar-hopping) the beautiful Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, it was victimised by amateur thieves who posed as security guards. If you see me exit the Tate Modern with a naked William H Macy under my arm, please shoot me. Or take him back – he is a high-value asset of the acting profession and should not be high-jacked. "But it was a maiden heist, officer. . ."
Good Saturday Afternoon Flick
bpwaite4 April 2017
One To Avoid At All Costs!
brdlybaum18 February 2016
I have given it 2 for the three main leads as in who they are not how well they acted! The acting was horrendous their overacting was very good! They must have been out of their minds to sign up to it and if they weren't then what the flip were they thinking?!?! More to the point what were any of the cast thinking including the extras?!?! OK, so the extras were probably thinking something along the lines of 'I could do with the extra money' but the rest of them?!?! This film is predictable, tedious, unfunny, predictable, boring....
THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ABOUT THIS DREADFUL STRAIGHT-TO-VIDEO RUBBISH! From the blatantly obvious beginning, to the blatantly obvious middle, from the blatantly obvious middle to the end of the film, IT WAS ALL BLATANTLY OBVIOUS!
THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ABOUT THIS DREADFUL STRAIGHT-TO-VIDEO RUBBISH! From the blatantly obvious beginning, to the blatantly obvious middle, from the blatantly obvious middle to the end of the film, IT WAS ALL BLATANTLY OBVIOUS!
Funny...
sedagive4215 May 2011
Of course it was no :Lion in Winter, but it was funny, lighthearted and had 4 good actors in it. If you are a fan of any of them you won't be disappointed. I was surfing and just happened to come across it. Cute and a great way to spend a rainy afternoon. I am sorry some others have taken such a negative view. It does not pretend to be a serious drama, and I am sure Walken, Freeman, Harden and Macy had a great time making it. It plays to characters they have all played.....and there is no blood or gore. I did enjoy the 'getting ready" scenes they played really well..and so what if the background is not what you expected..it is still worth the time..
Well, it looked good from its cover
bowmanblue24 August 2014
Morgan Freeman. Christopher Walken. William H Macy. With three leads like that, how could the film possibly fail? It does. Sort of. 'The Heist' is about three security guards who work in a museum. When their favourite works of art are sold to an overseas gallery, they decide to steal them for themselves. The three leads are as good as you'd expect them to be. However, they're given very little to work with. You may see this advertised as a 'comedy,' but it really isn't that funny. It's sort of a drama, but not very dramatic. And don't be lulled into thinking there's any major action in it - if you've seen scenes of shoot-outs in the trailers then be warned: they're part of a sixty second dream sequence at the very start of the film.
Yes, this film is pretty 'easy going.' It's gentle and warm and there's nothing to shock, offend or distress. However, with the acting talent on display, you feel it could be so much more. There will be two sorts of people who watch this: one sort will enjoy it for its niceness, the other sort will hate it for being boring. One thing's for sure... if it sadly average.
http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/
Yes, this film is pretty 'easy going.' It's gentle and warm and there's nothing to shock, offend or distress. However, with the acting talent on display, you feel it could be so much more. There will be two sorts of people who watch this: one sort will enjoy it for its niceness, the other sort will hate it for being boring. One thing's for sure... if it sadly average.
http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/
Very funny
vchimpanzee7 August 2013
Roger is a security guard at a Boston art museum. He is so obsessed with the painting "The Lonely Maiden" that when he hears a docent getting some of the facts wrong as she explains the painting to a tour group, he corrects everything she says.
And then the day comes when "The Lonely Maiden" will be shipped to Denmark. Roger can't have that happen. So he schemes with two other guards, Charlie and George, to steal the painting. Charlie and George each have favorite works of art that will be part of the move, and they don't want to lose them either. And George is somewhat disturbed; security footage shows him posing nude beside the statue he loves.
There's an obvious way to "rescue" these art works: our three heroes must volunteer to work security during the move. And to keep anyone from finding out what they've done, they have to make perfect copies. Charlie is a talented artist and can do that with his favorite painting, but he's not so good with Roger's work. So a street artist is hired for that purpose.
And the big move takes place. Can they get the substitutes in place and switch them? Can they get their art works where they want them? Two possible complications: Roger's wife Rose thinks they're going on vacation and she may mess everything up. And George has to hide in the museum, and he has his quirks. Oh, this could be very good.
It's not "Ocean's Eleven", but it's still very good. You want our heroes to succeed in their criminal acts. But there are so many obstacles to give us plenty of sources of humor. And then, of course, the big chase and near-disaster.
All the leading actors do a good job here, and Morgan Freeman shows so much emotion, so much passion, considering this is a comedy. William H. Macy is ... disturbing. It's not like the type role he usually does, but he makes the most of it. On broadcast TV, I didn't have to see .... everything.
And Marcia Gay Harden is appropriately over the top.
Is it a work of art? Pretty close.
And then the day comes when "The Lonely Maiden" will be shipped to Denmark. Roger can't have that happen. So he schemes with two other guards, Charlie and George, to steal the painting. Charlie and George each have favorite works of art that will be part of the move, and they don't want to lose them either. And George is somewhat disturbed; security footage shows him posing nude beside the statue he loves.
There's an obvious way to "rescue" these art works: our three heroes must volunteer to work security during the move. And to keep anyone from finding out what they've done, they have to make perfect copies. Charlie is a talented artist and can do that with his favorite painting, but he's not so good with Roger's work. So a street artist is hired for that purpose.
And the big move takes place. Can they get the substitutes in place and switch them? Can they get their art works where they want them? Two possible complications: Roger's wife Rose thinks they're going on vacation and she may mess everything up. And George has to hide in the museum, and he has his quirks. Oh, this could be very good.
It's not "Ocean's Eleven", but it's still very good. You want our heroes to succeed in their criminal acts. But there are so many obstacles to give us plenty of sources of humor. And then, of course, the big chase and near-disaster.
All the leading actors do a good job here, and Morgan Freeman shows so much emotion, so much passion, considering this is a comedy. William H. Macy is ... disturbing. It's not like the type role he usually does, but he makes the most of it. On broadcast TV, I didn't have to see .... everything.
And Marcia Gay Harden is appropriately over the top.
Is it a work of art? Pretty close.
Really Good Action Comedy
eddiemacraith14 April 2023
Now this movie was really good when I watched it but I wouldn't say it absolutely brilliant. It was a good decent action comedy. When I saw the name for this movie I was thinking that it would be a really serious action because when you have the word heist in a movie you usually wouldn't expect a really good action/comedy movie. Christopher Walken as always was really good in this movie and his wife added to the comedy. Morgan Freeman and William H. Macy were the key to making this movie good and really funny. If these usual comedy guys weren't in it at first I probably would have never watched this movie. I recommend this movie for children over ten.
It was ok
stormyweather_keeps_raining29 January 2020
The thing that bothers me the most is that you have to let an oil painting dry for 6 months before you can varnish it and even if you don't varnish it it takes a month for the oil paint to dry so not very realistic in the time frame they had.
Discreet, elegant, modest... they could show films like this to the goofs who throw tomato soup at museum paintings!
filipemanuelneto22 December 2022
Art has existed since human beings learned to understand the beauty of the world around them, and to capture it, to immortalize it on a surface. Initially, it was on the walls of caves, where our most remote ancestors represented the animals they lived with, the hunts they did and themselves. Whether in vivid color or simply engraved in stone, it was the birth of art as a concept, and the flowering of civilizations, the evolution of societies and the improvement of techniques led to an explosive and incredible evolution in artistic expression, and an enormous legacy that we, today, take care very badly. It is difficult for us to understand, now, in the 21st century, that art is a public good, not the exclusive property of a museum or a given collector. They are just guardians, sometimes temporary, of something that is much more universal and that should be cherished, valued and appreciated. And this reasoning also includes objects and buildings of historical and ethnographic value, archaeological remains and even documentary and archival funds. Not being art, together with it, they constitute a great cultural assemblage that is, in essence, our collective memory. As a historian, I am one of those who devote my life to studying, preserving, disseminating and caring for this memory.
This film, being a very light and funny comedy, shows very well the impact that art can have on someone's life, if we allow ourselves to be touched by it. The script, light and well written, brings together three museum security guards who, unhappy with the sale of their three favorite artworks to a Danish museum, decide to steal them before they are taken away. The plan involves replacing them with identical copies, and things, as is often the case in this type of film, will not go well without several funny incidents, and without the plan, on several occasions, running serious risks of failing. Spirited, it is a light film, but one that shows the affection that art deserves from all of us. Honestly, I would show this film to those groups of spoiled upstarts who are throwing mashed potatoes, tomato soup and the like at museum paintings!
The film brought together three great actors for the main roles: Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman and William Macy. Each of them did their best, and we could see very well that they even had fun working on this project. Marcia Gay Harden is also present, and is very supportive of the trio, but keeps a low profile. The film is not particularly original, it even reminded me a little of "Ocean's Eleven" or "Thomas Crown Affair", and the whole heist has a certain degree of credibility: it is not a complicated or far-fetched plan, but something that could be credibly carried out. However, not everything was so good: the biggest problem with this film is the domestic sub-plot of Walken and Harden, where some things aren't properly explained; the characters (except for Walken) are unexplored, and their past and personality is not revealed. But being a comedy, I think it's a minor issue.
Technically, it's a very good film, considering the relatively low budget, and the fact that it went straight to video. Normally, this is something that is done to very basic films, but this film would even have deserved an afternoon session in any "multiplex", because it made every coin pay and does not appear modest, although it is a discreet film that will be, surely, quickly forgotten. Filmed in various locations between Boston and Puerto Rico, it has good production values, good sets, good costumes and good cinematography. The jokes are quite unobtrusive, they don't always work and won't make fans of more brazen humor laugh. The soundtrack is effective.
This film, being a very light and funny comedy, shows very well the impact that art can have on someone's life, if we allow ourselves to be touched by it. The script, light and well written, brings together three museum security guards who, unhappy with the sale of their three favorite artworks to a Danish museum, decide to steal them before they are taken away. The plan involves replacing them with identical copies, and things, as is often the case in this type of film, will not go well without several funny incidents, and without the plan, on several occasions, running serious risks of failing. Spirited, it is a light film, but one that shows the affection that art deserves from all of us. Honestly, I would show this film to those groups of spoiled upstarts who are throwing mashed potatoes, tomato soup and the like at museum paintings!
The film brought together three great actors for the main roles: Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman and William Macy. Each of them did their best, and we could see very well that they even had fun working on this project. Marcia Gay Harden is also present, and is very supportive of the trio, but keeps a low profile. The film is not particularly original, it even reminded me a little of "Ocean's Eleven" or "Thomas Crown Affair", and the whole heist has a certain degree of credibility: it is not a complicated or far-fetched plan, but something that could be credibly carried out. However, not everything was so good: the biggest problem with this film is the domestic sub-plot of Walken and Harden, where some things aren't properly explained; the characters (except for Walken) are unexplored, and their past and personality is not revealed. But being a comedy, I think it's a minor issue.
Technically, it's a very good film, considering the relatively low budget, and the fact that it went straight to video. Normally, this is something that is done to very basic films, but this film would even have deserved an afternoon session in any "multiplex", because it made every coin pay and does not appear modest, although it is a discreet film that will be, surely, quickly forgotten. Filmed in various locations between Boston and Puerto Rico, it has good production values, good sets, good costumes and good cinematography. The jokes are quite unobtrusive, they don't always work and won't make fans of more brazen humor laugh. The soundtrack is effective.
Why would they agree to do this movie?
jblizz-583-2772416 November 2009
I picked this up from Redbox for a $1 Rental and feel totally ripped off. I registered for IMDb for the specific intent of warning people how much I was turned off by this movie. I can't imagine why Morgan Freeman or Christopher Walken would agree to do this movie but hey I guess times are tough in this economy for them too..
I find it very telling that the only people that enjoyed this movie were the under 18 crowd. I find it very hard to believe that people could rank this a 6 much less a 10. Maybe all the walk on extras in the movie have IMDb accounts too.
My suggestion would be move on from this title, it is not worth your money and certainly not worth your time.
I find it very telling that the only people that enjoyed this movie were the under 18 crowd. I find it very hard to believe that people could rank this a 6 much less a 10. Maybe all the walk on extras in the movie have IMDb accounts too.
My suggestion would be move on from this title, it is not worth your money and certainly not worth your time.
Don't go with the rating
monith2345 July 2010
Well it's quite a surprise for me that this movie being so funny is lowly rated. What's worth watching is the star cast,and above all the plot. The movie gets even more interesting towards the end. The role of Rose played by Marcia Harden is too good and she nicely fits into the role. This movie will definitely give good hearty laughs,don't miss out on this. Although they could have got more comic element into it but, still its good entertainment. The characters of Roger,George and Charles are outstanding. Roger has the uncanny habit of getting into embarrassing situations. Roger does most of the comedy. A real thumbs up for this movie.
A lot of potential unrealized, still a very good watch.
seanhmoss629 September 2021
A very great idea initially between the story and the casting. I liked it. But plot holes were everywhere. They could have been ignored entirely if the comedic talent of this wonderful cast had been let loose. Sadly, for the audience as well as the cast, the script did not deliver. All in all, WATCH THIS MOVIE!!
Moving the art
Prismark1013 September 2016
Roger (Christopher Walken) is a security guard in a museum who spends the day in front of the painting 'The Lonely Maiden' which he admires. He knows so much about the painting he can give an in depth talk about it to the museum visitors. When he is bored he daydreams of saving the museums from armed crooks which is a scene that the film opens with.
The rest of the film is underwhelming and low key as Roger finds out that museum is selling its collection to a museum in Denmark. Two other security guards Charles (Morgan Freeman) and George (William H Macy) are just as upset at this decision as they too have a favourite object of beauty at the museum. Moving to Denmark is not a viable option.
They decide to steal their favourite pieces and replace it with a copy but it is easier said than done. George who claims to be ex military and who also likes to be naked has the more difficult task when it comes to making the switch.
The film is amiable but also forgettable and at times it is just unexciting before it becomes more tense at the latter part of the picture. It is more a light comedy than drama but I could not help thinking that all three leads have made better heist films before such as Walken in The Anderson Tapes and Macy in Welcome to Collinwood.
The rest of the film is underwhelming and low key as Roger finds out that museum is selling its collection to a museum in Denmark. Two other security guards Charles (Morgan Freeman) and George (William H Macy) are just as upset at this decision as they too have a favourite object of beauty at the museum. Moving to Denmark is not a viable option.
They decide to steal their favourite pieces and replace it with a copy but it is easier said than done. George who claims to be ex military and who also likes to be naked has the more difficult task when it comes to making the switch.
The film is amiable but also forgettable and at times it is just unexciting before it becomes more tense at the latter part of the picture. It is more a light comedy than drama but I could not help thinking that all three leads have made better heist films before such as Walken in The Anderson Tapes and Macy in Welcome to Collinwood.
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