very well executed and well acted

Rating: 9/10 (2 July 2003)

The Italian Job is a complete film with few weak links. The acting is superb - and by extension the casting. Well directed, great camera work, good special effects - but the writing is what I believe set it apart and took it to the next level.
The inevitable comparisons to Soderberg's "Oceans 11" are unfair to Italian Job in my opinion. I felt this film was much better written, the acting was better and overall execution a cut above what Oceans 11 accomplished. When watching the latter, I felt like it was more escapist entertainment, whereas Italian Job did a much better job of drawing me in to the story -and- entertaining me.
The criticisms that Wahlberg didn't have enough 'charisma' to pull off the leading male role in this film are unfounded. If they came from the same people who gushed over Clooney in Oceans 11, then they obviously value Clooney's 'pretty boy charm' over Wahlberg's more substantive acting talent.
If you haven't seen this one, you should. It has a much broader appeal over more audience segments than most films of its type.