Job well done

Rating: Null/10 (10 October 2003)

Rating: *** (out of *****)
1969's The Italian Job has earned a massive cult following among many. It's a film I hold quite a high opinion of (although personally I don't see it as a real classic), so my initial reaction to this supposed remake was that it was a `bad idea'.
So I guess we should be grateful that director F. Gary Gray and his talented cast have decided against religiously remaking the original. Rather, they have just borrowed the title, the minis and the basic `heist' premise. And maybe some other little details as well, if you care to look for them (such as Donald Sutherland's character sharing the same surname as Noel Coward's - but that's all the two characters really have in common). The mafia involvement and humour have been replaced by family & revenge issues, plus a few more surprises. Oh, and memorable musical numbers are pushed aside in favour of a typical modern soundtrack.
As was the case in the original, a gang of thieves have a `job' to do, although the main job takes place in America, not Italy. This gang consists of Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg reprising the role originated by Michael Caine), Lyle (Seth Green), John Bridger (Donald Sutherland), Handsome Rob (Jason Statham), Half Ear (rapper Mos Def) and Steve (Ed Norton). After a successful gold grabbing heist in Venice, the gang meet to discuss what they'll do with this money. Unfortunately, Steve has ideas of his own and suddenly turns on the gang, killing Bridger and taking the gold for himself. The rest of the gang somehow escape his clutches and set out to regain the gold with the services of Bridger's daughter, Stella (Charlize Theron).
In some ways this is a more ambitious film than the original, but that isn't necessarily a plus point. The Italian heist is a little bit dull and confusing, but the majority of the American heist (the true centrepiece of the film) provides thrills aplenty, including the most memorable car chase of recent years. Like the original, several coloured minis are involved, but the pacing is upped to another level altogether.
Perhaps, however, the script was written too lightly. There are some true surprises, but also many plot holes. We are thankfully spared a heavy-handed love subplot (which you nearly feel you can see coming from a mile away). Unfortunately we are not spared some trite character building scenes, but the actors do manage to make them work. A more serious issue, in my opinion anyway, is that the sound quality isn't the best. In the early stages, the average filmgoer may find it difficult to keep track of what is going on, and may just decide to go with the flow. Come to think of it, `going with the flow' might be the best idea, as the part of the film where the main plan is explained very nearly falls flat.
Up against Michael Caine, Mark Wahlberg does look rather inferior. Yet it must be stated that he isn't trying to follow the example of the famous British actor, and, for what it's worth, he does an above adequate job. Everyone else slides easily enough into their parts, and Charlize Theron has rarely looked better as a smart safe-cracker.
Much of the original's subtlety and humour has been lost at the expense of modernising the film. I wonder if this film would have been more successful had the tone been less politically correct. It sometimes feels like this version was deliberately dumbed down for teenagers.
Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, and luckily the 2003 Italian Job doesn't cross the line into stupidity. In fact, there are quite a few smart lines, and viewers will generally feel comfortable and involved while watching, even if the majority of this involvement is relegated to the film's second half. The action in general is handled pretty well, building up to a rewarding climax (albeit one with an overused plot device for an epilogue).
The new Italian Job is a satisfying enough package, even if it is full of holes. Just don't be comparing it too much to the original, because  as I stated earlier  it's not an actual remake.