The Italian Job ★★★ 2003 (PG-13) Typically cool crew of expert theives, led by Charlie (Wahlberg), pulls off a heist of $35 million worth of gold bars in Venice, only to be doublecrossed by crewmember Steve (Norton), who kills Charlie's mentor John (Sutherland) and leaves the rest for dead. When the group find Steve a year later in L.A., John's daughter Stella (Theron), an exceptional safecracker in her own right, joins the gang for revenge. Amiable caper flick succeeds on the multiple strengths of understated cool, superbly orchestrated action, pitch-perfect humor, and an excellent cast doing a great job. Green, as computer geek Lyle, stands out, while Wahlberg boosts his leading man appeal. Remake of the 1969 Michael Caine vehicle copies original's use of Mini Coopers, but not much else. 111m/C VHS, DVD. US Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron, Dante "Mos Def" Beze, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Donald Sutherland, Christina Cabot, Franky G., Olek Krupa;
Director:
F. Gary Gray;
Writer:
Wayne Powers, Donna Powers;
Writer:
Wally Pfister;
Cameo:
John Powell.
