The Italian Job (2003)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

F. Gary Gray

Writers (WGA):

Troy Kennedy-Martin (1969 screenplay)
Donna Powers (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

30 May 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Steal The Day 5.30.03

Plot:

Based on a 1969 Michael Caine film of the same name, thieves plan to pull of the heist of their lives by creating Los Angeles largest traffic jam ever.

Plot Keywords:

Gold | Heist | Traffic Jam | Venice Italy | Italy

Awards:

5 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Mark Wahlberg	...	Charlie Croker
Charlize Theron	...	Stella Bridger
Donald Sutherland	...	John Bridger
Jason Statham	...	Handsome Rob
Seth Green	...	Lyle
Mos Def	...	Left Ear
Edward Norton	...	Steve
Fausto Callegarini	...	Italian Guard
Stefano Petronelli	...	Garbageman / Thug
Fabio Scarpa	...	Garbageman / Thug
Cristiano Bonora	...	Garbageman / Thug
Tiberio Greco	...	Garbageman / Thug
Jimmy Shubert	...	First Detective
Tammi Cubilette	...	Second Detective
Mary Portser	...	Stella's Receptionist

Also Known As:

Braquage à l'italienne (France)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence and some language.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA | France | UK

Language:

English | Russian | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:14 (canton of Zurich) | Iceland:10 | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Malaysia:18PL | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:12 | Canada:14A | Denmark:11 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Singapore:PG | Spain:7 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:12A (cut) | UK:12 (video rating) (cut) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #39929)

Filming Locations:

Bunker Hill, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

During the final heist scene, when the bank truck falls through the street underground, Spider-Man can be seen as an extra.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Its stated by Mashkov that "he will be on Train 59 to New Orleans." Train 59 is called "The City of New Orleans" and leaves directly from Chicago to New Orleans. It doesn't go anywhere near Los Angeles. The only train from LA to New Orleans is Train #2, the Sunset Limited.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Stella: [on the phone] Hello.
John Bridger: [on the phone] Hello, sweetie.
Stella: [on the phone] Daddy, it's early.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Psych: Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Piece (#1.3)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

California Soul

Very Entertaining Heist Movie & A Big Plug For MINIs

I wonder how many MINI Cooper automobiles were sold thanks to this movie? It couldn't help but add to the sales of this little car, which is featured in this film, along with an attractive cast.

This is a very, very entertaining heist-and-chase film. It features a "cool" cast with Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green and Jason Statham.

The best chase scene is right at the beginning with a boat pursuit in Venice, Italy. The film doesn't overdo the violence, has a pretty intelligent script (with a few short exceptions). features interesting characters and is nicely firmed. The cat-and-mouse game between Norton and Theron's characters is suspenseful and fun to watch.

Once again, however, we are manipulated into rooting for criminals portrayed as "the good guys." How many times has this happened since the days of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" in the 1960s? It's twisted Hollywood, for you. In here, one of the criminals (Norton) stole and killed the leader and father figure (Donald Sutherland) of the gang, so he's the worst of the bunch and the film's villain. Also Theron's character is in the typically overblown-feminist mode of Hollywood in which women can do all things (including driving a car) better than a man. A third minor irritation is Seth Green's smug, smart-ass attitude which we also are supposed to go along with because it's hip and cool.

Despite these hindrances, it is an extremely entertaining movie and it also doesn't overboard on the profanity or sex....and, yes, those little cars are cool. Everyone I've talked to who has seen this film, enjoyed it.