Heist Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An old thief, a young wife, a double-crossing fence, and a lot of ‘cute as a Chinese baby’ dialogue result in everyone ending up with slightly less money than they expected.

🍿 Heist: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Jewel Store Robbery

Joe Moore, a seasoned thief, leads his crew in a meticulously planned jewel store heist. The team consists of Bobby Blane, Don ‘Pinky’ Pincus, and Joe’s wife, Fran. The robbery goes smoothly, but Joe’s face is caught on security camera, jeopardizing his career.

Forced into ‘One Last Job’

Their fence, Mickey Bergman, withholds their payment and forces them to undertake another heist: stealing a gold shipment from a Swiss cargo plane. Bergman insists his nephew, Jimmy Silk, join the crew. Joe is hesitant, but has little choice. The dynamic within the crew becomes strained due to the presence of Jimmy and the uncertainty surrounding the new job.

The Swiss Gold Heist

The team executes the elaborate plan to steal the gold from the Swiss plane. Suspicion and double-crosses become rampant as loyalties are tested. Jimmy’s unpredictable behavior and Fran’s ambiguous allegiances create tension and complicate the heist. Joe must navigate these treacherous waters to secure the gold and his own future.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joe Moore (Gene Hackman): A seasoned jewel thief forced into one last heist after being caught on camera.
• Mickey Bergman (Danny DeVito): The greedy and untrustworthy fence who blackmails Joe into doing another job.
• Bobby ‘Bob’ Blane (Delroy Lindo): Joe’s loyal and dependable right-hand man in the heist crew.
• Jimmy Silk (Sam Rockwell): Mickey’s arrogant and ambitious nephew sent to watch over Joe, creating tension.
• Fran Moore (Rebecca Pidgeon): Joe’s younger wife whose allegiances are uncertain, adding a layer of intrigue.
• Don ‘Pinky’ Pincus (Ricky Jay): The utility man in Joe’s crew known for his skills in diversion and sleight of hand.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Pinky: “My motherfucker is so cool, when he goes to bed, sheep count him.” – Pinky uses this colorful line to vouch for Jimmy’s coolness to Joe.
• Joe Moore: “He ain’t gonna shoot me? Then he hadn’t oughta point a gun at me. It’s insincere.” – Joe expresses his pragmatic view of violence and trust during a tense standoff.
• Mickey Bergman: “Everybody needs money, that’s why they call it money.” – Mickey states the obvious, highlighting his crass and materialistic nature.
• Joe Moore: “I wouldn’t even tie my shoelaces without a backup plan.” – Joe states his strategic nature, foreshadowing the many twists to come

💰Box Office

• Budget: $39,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $23,510,841
• Worldwide Gross: $28,510,652

💥 Heist Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this back in the day and loving the twists. It’s a classic Mamet film with snappy dialogue and characters you love to hate. The airport scene, with all the tension and backstabbing, was truly memorable. I was kept guessing until the very end who was double-crossing who. Definitely worth a re-watch!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of heist movies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate clever dialogue and plot twists”
  • “Fans of Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, and David Mamet”
  • “Those who enjoy neo-noir films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Violence”
  • “Brief sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Mamet’s trademark dialogue is sharp, but the convoluted plot and abundance of double-crosses can feel overwhelming. Hackman delivers a solid performance, grounding the film with his world-weary presence.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Heist is a clever but sometimes confusing thriller. The intricate plot and witty dialogue, while hallmarks of Mamet’s style, can occasionally overshadow the emotional impact. Strong performances from the cast make it worth a watch.
• Chicago Sun-Times: “Mamet’s dialogue is as sharp as ever. The movie keeps you guessing with its twists and turns, though the plot can become a bit convoluted. The actors clearly relish the material, delivering memorable performances.

Audience Reactions

The witty, fast-paced dialogue keeps you engaged from start to finish.: Viewers praised the smart, twisty plot.

Gene Hackman’s performance as the aging thief is captivating and believable.: The strong cast elevates the material.

Overall Consensus: A twisty crime thriller with a clever script and strong performances, though the convoluted plot may not appeal to everyone.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Gene Hackman felt uncomfortable during filming due to being significantly older than the rest of the cast. He used this feeling of being an outsider to inform his character portrayal.”
• “David Mamet is known for his distinct dialogue style, which is prominent in this film. Some found it witty, while others criticized it as unrealistic and overly stylized.”

🖥️ How to Watch Heist?

Heist (2001) is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services or for physical copies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Heist, you might like these similar films:

• The Score (2001): Another heist film released in the same year, featuring a veteran thief planning one last job.
• Ronin (1998): Features a group of skilled professionals hired to steal a mysterious briefcase, with shifting loyalties and betrayals.
• Glengarry Glen Ross (1992): Also written by David Mamet, it showcases his signature dialogue style and themes of desperation and betrayal among a group of salesmen.
• Heat (1995): A classic crime drama featuring a crew of professional thieves planning a major heist, with a strong focus on character dynamics and meticulous planning.

🛒 Heist Related Products

• Heist (Blu-ray): Experience the film in high definition with improved picture and sound quality. The Blu-ray edition often includes behind-the-scenes features, director’s commentary, and deleted scenes.
• Heist Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster. Available in various sizes to fit any space. The poster captures the essence of the film’s characters and suspenseful themes.
• Diamond Heist Board Game: A strategic board game where players compete to plan and execute the perfect diamond heist. Features hidden roles, deduction, and resource management, inspired by the movie’s intricate plot.
• The Complete David Mamet Collection (Kindle Edition): Includes the screenplays of ‘Heist,’ ‘House of Games,’ and other notable David Mamet films. Get a deeper understanding of his unique writing style and storytelling techniques.

🎧 Soundtrack

Heist features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Arrival” – performed by Theodore Shapiro
• “Joe and Fran” – performed by Theodore Shapiro
• “Airport” – performed by Theodore Shapiro

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Former Jewel Thief Reviews Famous Heist Movies, From ‘The Dark Knight’ to ‘The Town’ | 63 |

Ever wonder how accurate those heist movies really are? This former jewel thief breaks down scenes from films like ‘The Town’ and ‘The Dark Knight’ – his insights are wild!

What Heist Movies Taught Me About Filmmaking

Interested in filmmaking? This video dissects heist movies to reveal valuable lessons about storytelling and directing. Prepare to see your favorite films in a whole new light!

Heat Analysis – Structure & Pacing

Want to know what makes Heat such a great movie? This breakdown of the structure and pacing really opened my eyes, you’ll feel like a film expert after watching this!

✨ Rate