THE ART OF THE STEAL

US, 2014, 90 minutes, Colour.

Kurt Russell, Matt Dillon, Jay Barash L, Kenneth Welsh, Terence Stamp, Kathryn Winnick, Chris Diamantopoulos Jason Jones, Devon Bostick, Stephen McHattie.

Directed by Jonathan Sobol.

This is the kind of iced film that could be recommended as an enjoyable night out – or enjoyable night streaming!

As the title suggests, there is a focus on art, literal art, a group of forgers, classic paintings, an expert forger from France who is able to copy any work of art. At the centre there is the real painting by Seurat and a scheme, borrowed from the stealing of the Mona Lisa, the making of many copies to be sold as authentic, making money with the forgeries.

But, this is also very much a comedy, with some very funny moments.

Kurt Russell is at the centre, released from a Polish prison after years, betrayed by his brother, Matt Dillon, who comes up with a new reconciling proposal. Kurt Russell is Crunch Calhoun, part art connoisseur, part Evil Knievel. He wants revenge on his brother. However, the brother comes up with quite a scheme for Crunch and his cronies to share in. The cronies include Kenneth Welsh as an old Irish roue, and a new apprentice, Jay Baruchel, who has many of the comic moments, especially trying to smuggle two characters across the Canadian/US border at Niagara.

Rather different in tone is the presence of Terence Stamp as a British authentication expert and thief, very British, pausing the action as he makes a speech about his memories of first discovering art as a child.

And, by the end, doublecrossings, tricks, there are very satisfying twist results illustrating the steal and the art of stealing.

1. The title, theft, content, elaborate heists? The serious turn, the pervading comic tone and irony, characters, throwaway lines, oddball situations?
2. Audience interest in heist stories, elaborate plans and their execution? The characters? Doublecross?
3. The tone, Crunch and his story, the years and the Polish prison, day in, the day out, the flashback to the heist, the group, the wealthy Polish criminal, the Gauguin painting, Nick and his smooth talk, Paddy impersonating the authenticator of paintings, Crunch and the Switch, the delay in the restoration, the chase through the streets, through the train, the last moment? The irony of the gangster with the paint on his finger, the pursuit, the crash, Nick’s arrest, giving up Crunch, his half brother?
4. Crunch out of prison, with his bike, popularity because of his crashes, his medical history, marrying Lola, the negotiations for $800 for another crash? Francie, friend, apprentice, classical history and literature discussions?
5. Nick and his return, the Seurat painting, at the airport, different cases, the interrogation by Interpol, Bick, his manner, with Samuel Winter, sardonic responses, and Winter and his possible release, authenticating the painting? Memories of Nick, of Crunch, his speech explaining his childhood love of beauty, the Jade cup, but, authenticating, stealing? Deadpan responses to Bick and his awkward behaviour?
6. The return of Nick, the animosity, Paddy, Irish character and womanising, contacts? The story of the Reverend, the second Guttenberg book (and the flashback to Gutenburg), the plan to steal the book, hide it, Crunch and contact with Guy, forging, the phone call, coming to the US? The story of the stolen Mona Lisa, hidden while 10 reproductions were sold, the plan for the book?
7. The stealing of the book, the warehouse centre for the Reverend, Niagara, the book in protection, the giant vagina, the false book? The details of the plan, Paddy and Olga and the documents for authentication? Nick and the raising of the money? His flirting with the Lola and her support? Francie, the beard, driving the car, Guy and Crunch in the boot, the fiasco at the border, Francie as an actor, getting through?
8. Nick, the plan, Guy and reproducing the number of books? The distribution? Nick, doubledealing, connection with Ernie, more false books?
9. The revelation of the plot against Nick, the empty warehouse room, Lola with the money and Crunch and Lola deceiving Nick about the relationship, Paddy watching with Ernie, the expose?
10. The Seurat painting, Crunch getting it, the initial intention, the heist of the century, the deal with Samuel Winter, in prison, the authentication, able to receive the painting before his release?
11. An enjoyable blend of action and comedy and doubledealing?