An elusive thief, eyeing his final score, encounters a disillusioned insurance broker at her own crossroads. As their paths intertwine, a relentless detective trails them hoping to thwart the multi-million dollar heist they are planning.
(C) Amazon MGM
It's really refreshing to see an old-fashioned type of crime thriller set in the present day. Director Bart Layton is unafraid to use smartphones and trackers, and he sets up impressive shots around them. Speaking of shots, this film is very well made throughout. The transitions are mesmerizing. Los Angeles feels like a character. The chase scenes are nerve-wracking. These elements alone make this film worthy of the price of admission.
The cast did well too, but it was Barry Keoghan’s sloppy character who made a lasting impression. That’s impressive considering he’s co-starring alongside heavyweights like Mark Ruffalo and Halle Berry. Berry and Keoghan keep us on edge, as their characters shake up the narrative, which sometimes lags behind everything else. But when things come together and key characters meet, the tension is towering.
Crime 101 is the type of thriller we usually see celebrated on HBO. Layton and co. made something good here that reminds us this genre can still impress on the big screen. 3.5/5 ⭐️
