{"id":32440,"date":"2026-02-21T09:47:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T14:47:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=32440"},"modified":"2026-02-22T10:57:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T15:57:37","slug":"stylish-and-compelling-crime-101-provides-a-bit-of-heat-on-screen-this-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=32440","title":{"rendered":"Stylish and Compelling, \u201cCrime 101\u201d Provides a Bit of Heat On Screen This Month"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Review by Brad Balfour Arts Editor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Film: \u201cCrime 101\u201d
Director: Bart Layton
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, Halle Berry, Tate Donovan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too many times, crime films try hard to be different while remaining within the genre\u2019s confines. Some directors believe that developing a movie with complicated, even labyrinthine plot points or subplots that don\u2019t necessarily add anything to the story or resolve themselves makes the movie a unique proposition. As written and directed by Bart Layton, \u201cCrime 101\u201d does something similar. Yet by the time the film ends, it pulls together most of the convolutions into something of a satisfying ending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certainly, this heist thriller demonstrates the director\u2019s many ambitions. And given its source material \u2014 author Don Winslow\u2019s 2020 novella of the same name \u2014 it\u2019s no wonder. With Winslow\u2019s experience in the late \u201880s as a private investigator, the author had accumulated lots of great source material which lends his deft novels an authenticity that\u2019s been effectively transferred to film. Screenwriter Eric Roth, who was developing another of Winslow\u2019s books for the screen, gave Robert De Niro the novelist\u2019s book (\u201cI Heard You Paint Houses\u201d) to read for research. The legendary actor became so enthralled with it that he and Scorsese ended up adapting it into a great film, \u201cThe Irishman.\u201d Clearly, something authored by Winslow makes for a great starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The film\u2019s twisty, complex storyline connects its parts in surprising ways. Layton takes advantage of a stellar cast to finesse it throughout. Chris Hemsworth, as accomplished thief Mike Davis, plays his character with a combination of sturdiness and anxiousness \u2013\u2013 a conundrum that such a career path would likely engender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The film begins with a scene that establishes what an effective jewel thief Mike has been with his heists taking place along the 101 freeway. Although he has baffled police, Los Angeles detective Lou Lubesnick is undeterred as he pursues the elusive thief by developing a detailed profile of his crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Mike\u2019s nemesis, Lubesnick (the excellent Mark Ruffalo) tracks him and tries to establish his modus operandi. The scruffy officer (looking something like Colombo) believes he has cracked Mike\u2019s pattern and is determined to bring him down before the next job. He tries to get the other detectives in his division \u2013\u2013 like his erstwhile partner, Detective Tillman (Corey Hawkins) \u2013\u2013 to join in his efforts. Yet no member of the team really gives him his due, more concerned with arrest numbers rather actual crime solving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Davis sets his sights on the ultimate score, his plans intersect with those of Sharon Colvin (Halle Berry who makes a great return to the screen.) She plays a disenchanted insurance broker\/adjuster who is cajoled into helping Mike accomplish the score of his life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But thanks to a betrayal by his fence, Money (Nick Nolte), Mike has the deranged and manic Ormon (actor Barry Keoghan at his most jacked up) on his ass. This young criminal is sent to nip at Mike\u2019s heels and ultimately to eliminate him while hijacking his heist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The film features not only a top-flight main cast but also a great ensemble of actors who add cinematic depth to the narrative. As Maya, Monica Barbaro (who had played Joan Baez to much acclaim) becomes a tentative love interest for the secretive thief. Jennifer Jason Leigh is Angie, Lou\u2019s ex-wife, who establishes in one scene some important background as to who he is \u2014 or isn\u2019t. And there\u2019s Tate Donovan playing billionaire Steven Monroe — the target of the heist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Into the mix comes the city of Los Angeles as another character to serve the narrative. Ultimately, writer\/director Layton made a film where none of the characters have much of a moral compass, except perhaps the thief and the detective pursuing him, though even that is debatable. Because Layton loves his characters almost too much, he allows them much latitude to improve \u2014 except for the depraved Ormon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the film resolves itself, Layton gives the main characters a pass, maybe because there\u2019s lots of room for a sequel. Or maybe it\u2019s just because he likes what his actors have been able to turn his characters into.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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