Since it’s been out for a while, I’m sure it’s been mentioned a bunch. So, insert Hulk and Thor joke here.
The reason for that lede is the actors now well-known for their appearances in Marvel movies both appear in “Crime 101.” Chris Hemsworth in the movie portrays a jewel thief, Mike, who’s pulled several successful heists. Each one he does efficiently, and with a unique commitment to non-violence.
Mark Ruffalo, meanwhile, is Lou Lubesnick, a detective who manages to deduce that all of the recent jewel heists are tied to Mike. As his investigation heats up, Mike is approached about a new big job, but is concerned about doing so, especially since he recently started a new relationship.
So, “Crime 101” follows a veteran, grizzled Los Angeles detective trying to take down a skilled professional thief who recently started a new relationship in which he has to hide his criminal work. And if you’re thinking, ‘hey, that sounds a lot like the 1995 crime drama “Heat,”’ you’d be right.
It’s not fair to call this picture derivative or a rehash of old ideas, though. “Crime 101” is more akin to using an old, but reliable blueprint. The result is a picture that is definitely familiar, but offers some action, intrigue and characterization that, more often than not, is effective.
The film has a plethora of scenes with tense interactions and thrilling set pieces, as well as solid moments that explore the psyche of its lead characters. The suspense is certainly there in key sequences, which keeps a viewer’s attention. Unfortunately, that attention isn’t always kept long-term.
“Crime 101” is a film closing in on two and a half hours, and it definitely wasn’t at all necessary. There’s a sense the movie could be trimmed down and made into a much more efficient, narrower focused crime drama. Instead, it adds a lot of what ends up being filler, especially with an entire sub plot revolving around an insurance broker played by Halle Berry.
It simply feels like too much was built on what was a fairly simple narrative structure. That’s not to say a film like this can’t handle a layered situation, again, see “Heat.” However, writer/director Bart Layton isn’t able to bring everything together smoothly. Instead, the film is often convoluted.
Another problem is the entire character of Ormon, a rival thief who crosses paths with Mike a few times. There are two main issues with the character. First, the main conflict of the picture comes down to Mike and Lou, that’s the film’s title card. So Ormon more often than not comes across like a third wheel, which is ironic because he’s often riding a motorcycle.
The other is how the character acts. Both Mike and Ormon are skilled thieves, and often behave with anti-social or introverted tendencies. However, Mike attempts to be as non-violent as possible, while Ormon acts with a great deal of violence. The choice to make them such polar opposites makes their dynamic too black and white, instead of a more nuanced gray.
The film manages to weather some of these issues, both in terms of the unfolding drama and character work, thanks to the talented cast. Berry is of course an Academy Award winner while Ruffalo and Keoghan are Oscar nominees. Plus, Hemsworth has shown some range beyond his outings as “Thor” with the likes of “Furiosa.”
The core four on screen, particularly Ruffalo, are all solid here, and enhance several scenes. Ultimately, the performances, mixed with some solid technical filmmaking, comes together for a movie worth a watch, albeit not one to rush out for. It’s above average, but has faults preventing a more defining genre entry. 3.25 out of 5.
Matthew Liedke on Film 