Streaming Review: CRIME 101

When I saw that there was a “gritty Crime Thriller” starring Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry and Mark Ruffalo coming to theaters in January, I was intrigued and looked forward to checking it out. Next thing I know, it was out of theaters and wouldn’t show up on streaming until March.

I have now watched that film and understand why it didn’t last long.

Written and Directed by Bart Layton (the underrated AMERICAN ANIMALS), CRIME 101 is a “HEAT wannabe” in that it shows a thief, with a strong code and the cop who is trailing him playing a cat-and-mouse game on the mean streets of Los Angeles.

On paper, it’s a good concept. In execution it is lacking.

Starting with the script. It just isn’t that interesting and the characters (as written) are paper thin and relatively uninteresting. Add to that some uninspired direction that stays focused on items way to long so this 20 hour and 20 minute efforts feels much, much longer.

This can be overcome by some good acting, but Hemsworth, Berry and Ruffalo are not DeNiro, Pacino and Val Kilmer. They give it their best but they just don’t have much to work with. Ruffalo fares the best as the obsessed cop trying to capture the “101 Thief”, while Berry is game in her role as an Insurance broker who gets involved with both the Hemsworth and Ruffalo characters. Unfortunately for Ms. Berry, her character disappears for the final third of this movie and, therefore, becomes an irrelevant character.

And then there is Hemsworth who, if I’m being honest, is miscast as the conflicted Master Thief. His character is mostly silent (keeping his thoughts to himself) so it is up to Hemsworth’s face to show the emotion. Unfortunately, Hemsworth is an actor who needs his physicality to help portray a character and this is in direct conflict with the character as written. I don’t blame Hemsworth for this mismatch, I even don’t blame Writer/Director Layton. I blame the Studio Exec that decided that only way to get this project greenlit was to have an “A List” actor in the lead.

Also, Barry Keoghan (SALTBURN) shows up as a rival thief who is acting in an entirely different movie - more than likely one, like IN BRUGES, that is written and directed in a completely different style.

Oh, and Nick Nolte gets a paycheck showing up in a couple of scenes in what can only be described as an extended cameo. He’s the best thing in the film.

A disappointment to say the least because it has so much potential, but just didn’t quite get there.

Letter Grade: B- (and I’m being generous)

6 Stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)