No Ordinary Heist Review: A Lacklustre Take on a Real Belfast Bank Robbery
Based on real-life events from 2004, No Ordinary Heist is a Belfast-set true-crime thriller that had the potential to be a gripping, top-tier feature. However, it ultimately feels underpowered and apologetic, with a clumsy assembly and bland direction by Colin McIvor. McIvor's background in TV and low-budget comedies does not translate well to this genre, resulting in a film that fails to capitalise on its compelling source material.
Cast Performances and Questionable Choices
The film stars Eddie Marsan and Éanna Hardwicke in the lead roles. Marsan plays Richard Murray, an uptight bank manager forced to cooperate with robbers after his wife Celine, portrayed by Eva Birthistle, is kidnapped. Hardwicke takes on the role of Barry, a security guard who also has a loved one held captive. Together, they must pack millions in used bank notes, disguising them as rubbish for collection just before Christmas.
While both actors deliver fine performances, Marsan's casting raises questions. As a renowned character actor, he does a decent job with the Belfast accent, but his recessive presence makes him an odd fit for the role. One might wonder why a local actor wasn't chosen instead, perhaps due to scheduling conflicts with projects like Game of Thrones spinoffs. Hardwicke, in contrast, gives a more dynamic performance, adding some much-needed energy to the film.
Plot and Missed Opportunities
The bank robbers in No Ordinary Heist are largely undifferentiated, with the exception of a skeevy character played by JB Moore, who guards Barry's mother, Andrea Irvine. This villain adds a touch of menace, but it's not enough to elevate the overall narrative. The film hints at the robbers being from the IRA, a common assumption, but the Troubles are mostly relegated to the background, seen only in the characters' mental rearview mirrors.
This tension between past and future Northern Ireland is a rich seam that the script could have mined more thoroughly. Additionally, a subplot involving Murray being pressured by the bank's owners to make half the staff redundant before the holidays is introduced but left unresolved. This issue is of particular interest to security chief Mags, played by Michelle Fairley, who worries about her own future. Unfortunately, this strand is abandoned, wasting Fairley's talent and missing a chance to add depth to the story.
Overall Assessment and Release Details
In the end, No Ordinary Heist suffers from a lack of both budget and vision, making it a most ordinary work. The film fails to make the material sing, leaving audiences with a sense of unfulfilled potential. It is set for release in UK and Irish cinemas from 27 March, but viewers may find it falls short of expectations for a true-crime thriller.
- The film is based on a real 2004 Belfast bank robbery but feels underpowered.
- Eddie Marsan's casting is questionable despite his decent accent work.
- Missed opportunities to explore themes like the Troubles and corporate pressure.
- Releases in cinemas on 27 March in the UK and Ireland.
