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A Paramount release. Written by Donna & Wayne Powers; directed by F. Gary Gray; starring Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron. Released to DVD on October 9, 2003. 
In certain cases, one fact can speak volumes about the entirety of a project. In the case of The Italian Job, even after watching the 111-minute film, I’m not sure what the lead character’s last name is. Fortunately for viewers though, The Italian Job isn’t about character development or giving the majority of its characters surnames. Frankly, with the selling points of the movie surrounding the craftily planned heist at its center, it really wouldn’t have mattered whether Mandy Moore, LL Cool J or Mark Wahlberg played the lead. In this remake of the ‘60’s classic of the same name, Wahlberg stars as Charlie, the leader of a group of likable, ethnically diverse thieves. When another character minus a last name, Steve (Edward Norton), double-crosses the group and takes the $35 million plunder, Charlie and company have no recourse but to retake the booty in spectacular fashion. Unlike the majority of other heist films, there is no need to even consider thinking while watching The Italian Job; the bad characters are the ones with mustaches who wear black clothes and the material is as obvious as possible so that even the slowest of audience members will be free to enjoy the expansive action scenes without any plot details to worry about. Despite the lack of sub-plots, surprises or character traits though, The Italian Job is undeniably a fun film to watch. The result of director F. Gary Gray’s work is big and uncomplicated and shallow and easy to digest. For once, Mark Wahlberg has found himself the perfect role: the lead in a quintessential non-challenging American summer movie.
jake lever yes, it's true: Shawn Fanning, the creator of Napster, has a cameo as Seth Green’s college roommate. |
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