The Art of the Steal - C

Rated R, 90 minutes

Dark crime comedy "The Art of the Steal" charming but cliched

Kurt Russell

I'd be a rich man if I could actually name all the crime films about an aged criminal going back in for "one last job." That overused cliche is the premise of the new Canadian heist dramedy "The Art of the Steal." It's dark and peppered with some charming moments yet is so calculated you begin looking around for the obligatory DeNiro or Pacino cameo (fortunately, that doesn't happen). Crunch Calhoun (Kurt Russell), a third rate semi-reformed art thief and motorcycle daredevil, agrees to get back into the con game with his untrustworthy half-brother, Nicky (Matt Dillon), though he doesn't realize how dangerous the game has become. Directed by Canadian filmmaker Jonathan Sobol, "The Art of the Steal" is a serviceable dark crime comedy burdened by its own cliches of grouchy criminals unable to give up their life of crime. It's not terrible, but terribly predictable; the highlight is the amusing chemistry between Russell and Dillon as well as the deadpan delivery of comic actor Jay Baruchel, who regularly steals scenes from the veteran leads as Crunch's apprentice (his Amish costume is hilarious). Veteran British actor Terence Stamp ("Valkyrie") also pops in for a few brief scenes doing his best Sean Connery impression as yet another aged criminal, but even a stellar actor such as he can't overcome Sobol's unoriginal script and direction, not to mention a lackluster, unsatisfying finale. Some of it's entertaining and filled with a few laughs (thanks to Baruchel), but dark comedic crime films like this have become a dime a dozen, and the forgettable "The Art of the Steal" manages only to take your time.

Wes's Grade: C