Crime 101 – Budget of $90 million – 2 hours and 20 minutes

Click on a vendor to purchase (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)

Blu-rayTM
Digital

Mike intercepted a diamond exchange at Sammy’s jewelry store and walked away with millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds. However, this time was different. The passenger pulled out a gun, aimed it at Mike, and fired. Although it misfired, a fragment grazed him. Mike tells his fence, Money, that he’s having second thoughts about the next heist. The area isn’t secure, it will be daytime, and there will be too many people. Mike prefers to work in areas where he can exert control without resorting to violence. Money tells Mike to relax and enjoy his payday. Mike relaxes at home, and Money calls Ormon to do the job Mike won’t do. Mike asks his hacker friend to look into Sharon. Her clients have access to some of the finest jewels. If he can get close to her, he can rob her clients.

Insurance broker Sharon meets with a potential client, Steven. Steven wants Sharon’s company to insure his priceless art and his wedding. Everything goes well until she mistakes his fiancée for his daughter. Sharon returns to work but tells her boss they still have a chance for Steven’s business. She asks her boss about her promotion to partner, but he dismisses her. Later, he introduces a younger woman to the team and gives her Steven’s account. Then, he tells Sharon to investigate the diamond theft at Sammy’s jewelry store. They believe it was an inside job, and a payout would cost them millions. He wants Sharon to work with the detectives and ask them to perform a polygraph test. 

Detective Lou and Tillman question Sammy after the robbery. Lou believes this robbery matches a string of high-end jewelry heists. He meets with Sharon, and she updates him about the insurance company’s concerns. She mentions that people follow a pattern that they can’t break. That phrase gives Lou an idea. He narrows down the robberies and finds the pattern along Highway 101. Lou presents his theory to his boss, colleagues, and Tillman. After everyone leaves, his boss tells Lou to keep the thief’s profile quiet. Two of the cases have suspects, and a detective closed another. Lou’s theory will reopen those cases and disrupt their closure rate. Lou refuses to let it go.

Mike casually meets with Sharon and propositions her to help him. She promptly says no. He gives her a cell phone with his contact information if she changes her mind. While on a date, Mike sees that Ormon violently attacked store owners at the mark that Money wanted him to hit. Mike confronts Money, but Money won’t back down. Money fears Mike will strike out solo. So, he pays Ormon to follow Mike and get his next mark. When Mike catches Ormon in the shadows, he knows it’s a matter of time before Ormon kills him. Across town, Sharon forces her boss to tell her the truth. He admits that they will never promote her. She threatens to leave with his clients, but he says she is too old. Sharon calls Mike for revenge and a cut. Officers intercepted a robbery in progress and suspect that it’s the Highway 101 thief. They shoot and kill him. After realizing the mistake, an officer plants a gun on the body. Lou’s boss tells him to agree with the other officers’ reports. Lou’s dumbfounded. He located Mike’s car and his DNA inside it. He vows to find Mike and make him pay for his crime. Who will win in this game of cat and mouse: Sharon, Mike, or Lou?

This slick crime drama adds something fun, unique, and sexy to the genre. The characters are well-written and dynamic. Mike is the man with a plan. He employs low- and high-tech solutions to achieve his crimes. However, he is gentle and considerate of his victims. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone but needs them to believe he will. Mike’s interesting because he is timid when he isn’t working but confident in his heist. Sharon is a woman on the edge. She is overlooked and undervalued. Sharon can take one look at people and see into their souls, but has blinders on at work. She appears meek but is ready to take over. Luckily, she aims her rage in the right direction. Lou is a man who never rests on his laurels. He’s determined to do what’s correct every time. He doesn’t care who he takes down in the process. Viewers will root for all of them to win because they deserve it. The crimes are captivating and stunning with an appropriately comical dialogue. The film doesn’t feel like two hours because it enthralls you. The main characters have refreshing redemption arcs. This film may not conquer this award season, but it will win audiences. Viewers should see it in theaters today.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars

It’s okay. Shut up – Ormon

Best three minutes of my life – Lou

People who grow up in chaos crave order – Sharon

Go spend some money. Get laid. Go relax – Money

You believe in omens – Mike

Click on a vendor to purchase (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)

Blu-rayTM
Digital