🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Peter Hewitt
- Genre: Comedy, Crime
- Release year: 2009
- Runtime (length): 1h 30min
- IMDb rating: 6.0/10 (18K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Three bored security guards decide to spice up their lives by swapping priceless art with dollar-store knockoffs because their bosses won’t let them have nice things.
🍿 The Maiden Heist: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Guards’ Obsessions
Roger Barlow, Charles Peterson, and George McLendon are security guards at a Boston museum, each deeply attached to a specific artwork. Roger is captivated by ‘The Lonely Maiden’ painting. Charles has an affinity for a portrait of a woman with cats. George is obsessed with a nude sculpture of a warrior. These artworks provide them with a sense of purpose and completion in their otherwise mundane lives.

The Museum’s Decision
The guards’ routines are disrupted when they learn the museum plans to sell their beloved artworks to a museum in Denmark to make space for modern art. Devastated by the prospect of losing the pieces they’ve grown to cherish, Roger, Charles, and George decide to take matters into their own hands. They embark on a plan to steal the art and replace them with forgeries.

The Heist
The plan involves obtaining near-perfect copies of the artworks and finding a way to switch them out during the packing and transfer process. The heist is fraught with complications, including Roger’s overbearing wife who has planned a trip to Florida. George’s bizarre habit of posing nude with his favorite statue also adds to the chaos. The guards navigate these challenges as they attempt to pull off the daring art heist.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Roger Barlow (Christopher Walken): A museum security guard obsessed with ‘The Lonely Maiden’ painting who masterminds a plan to steal it and other artworks before they’re shipped to Denmark.
- Charles Peterson (Morgan Freeman): A museum security guard attached to a painting of a woman with cats, who joins Roger in the heist.
- George McLendon (William H. Macy): A museum security guard with an unusual infatuation for a nude statue, who assists in the art heist.
- Rose Barlow (Marcia Gay Harden): Roger’s somewhat overbearing but well-meaning wife, whose planned vacation complicates the heist.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Charles Peterson: “We did good.” – Said by Charles at the end of the movie, reflecting on their successful heist.
- Roger Barlow: “We sure did. See you tomorrow.” – Roger’s reply to Charles at the end, suggesting life returns to normal after their adventure.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $20,000,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: $96,008
💥 The Maiden Heist Reviews
Personal Review
I found ‘The Maiden Heist’ to be a delightful surprise. It’s not a laugh-out-loud comedy, but it’s filled with quirky characters and genuinely sweet moments. The performances by Walken, Freeman, and Macy are what really make this movie shine. There is a scene where William H. Macy is naked and posing and I couldn’t stop laughing. If you’re looking for something lighthearted and enjoyable, give this one a try.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman, and William H. Macy”
- “Viewers who enjoy light-hearted caper comedies”
- “Those interested in art and museum settings”
- “People looking for a feel-good movie with gentle humor”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Brief fantasy violence at the beginning”
- “Some partial nudity (William H. Macy)”
- “Mild language”
Professional Reviews
- The Hollywood Reporter: “The Maiden Heist is a gentle comedy that coasts on the charm of its cast. Walken delivers his usual quirky performance, while Freeman and Macy provide solid support. The plot is predictable, but the film offers a pleasant viewing experience with a lighthearted tone.
- Edinburgh International Film Festival: “This light-hearted caper makes for undemanding viewing. The mismatch of seemingly inappropriate casting oddly rewarding. It’s a feel-good story with gentle humor and a plain plot
Audience Reactions
The unique premise of guards stealing art they love resonates with viewers.: Viewers enjoyed the quirky characters and the light-hearted tone of the movie, even if the plot was predictable.
It’s enjoyable to see normally serious actors be funny and make a mockery of the standard: Viewers seem to think it’s a light hearted and great movie to watch when bored.
Overall Consensus: ‘The Maiden Heist’ is a charming, if somewhat predictable, comedy carried by the strong performances of its veteran cast. It offers a light-hearted viewing experience, but it is often overlooked.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The painting ‘The Lonely Maiden’ was specially created for the film by American Realist artist Jeremy Lipking.”
- “The Worcester Art Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts, was used to establish the interior of the fictional Boston Art Museum (BAM) in which the story takes place.”
- “William H. Macy’s character’s statue obsession involved photographing him naked from a three-hundred and sixty degree perspective for the sculptor to create the statue.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Maiden Heist?
Currently, “The Heist” (also known as “The Maiden Heist”) is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check local listings for potential availability on streaming services or cable providers. DVD and Blu-ray copies may also be available for purchase online or in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Maiden Heist, you might like these similar films:
- Small Time Crooks (2000): Shares the theme of inept criminals attempting a heist, with a focus on humor and character-driven comedy.
- The Thomas Crown Affair (1999): Involves art theft and a cat-and-mouse game, but with a more sophisticated and romantic approach.
- Ocean’s Eleven (2001): Features a group of individuals with unique skills uniting for an impossible heist. Though more polished, it shares heist elements.
🛒 The Maiden Heist Related Products
- The Art of the Heist: Confessions of a Master Art Thief, Collector and Connoisseur: A thrilling look into the world of art theft, this book provides insights into the motivations and methods of art thieves, complementing the themes of the movie. See what it takes to become an expert art thief
- Museum Store Art Heist Board Game: Embark on your own heist adventure with this thrilling board game where you attempt to outsmart security and steal valuable artifacts, mirroring the caper in the film. This is a fast action, easy to learn, quick setup family game
- Art Heist Inc: Art Heist is an action-stealth game for mature players in which you assemble and manage a team of thieves and lead them in the heist of priceless works of art. With a wide array of items, tools, and hacking abilities your team has everything it needs to pull off any job – well, almost anything.
- The Lonely Maiden – Framed Art Print: A high-quality framed art print of the fictional painting ‘The Lonely Maiden’ featured in the film. A perfect replica of the art piece in the film is a unique collectors item
🎧 Soundtrack
The Maiden Heist features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Principal filming took place at the Worcester Art Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts, providing the backdrop for the fictional Boston Art Museum.
The painting ‘The Lonely Maiden’ was created specifically for the film by American Realist artist Jeremy Lipking, inspired by naturalist painters like George Clausen and Jules Bastien Lepage.
While the film is a fictional comedy, it draws inspiration from the idea that art can have a profound impact on individuals and that people can form strong emotional attachments to art pieces. The plot elements are entirely fabricated for comedic purposes.
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