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Saturday, April 20, 2024
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HOLLYWOOD STOLEN
EDITOR'S PICK
`Stolen`
- a `Cage-y` affair that steals your heart
Rating: ** 1/2
Packed with action, "Stolen" is mechanical and robotic, built on a
template of cliches and scenes from older action films. The plot, as well as the
visuals, are staid and offer nothing new to the audience.
It does not have any mind-blowing, jaw-dropping or spectacular shots. Yet, it
does not hold you back from having a good time.
William Montgomery, (Nicholas Cage) America`s greatest bank robber whose resolve
to not kill a witness while escaping a heist spells trouble for him. As a result
of his insistence, he accidentally shoots his comrade Kinsey Vincent (Josh
Lucas). He then burns the loot before surrendering himself to the cops.
William spends eight years in prison, and upon his release all he wants to do is
reconnect with his estranged daughter Alison (Sami Gayle). He also learns that
his partners (Malin Akerman and Josh Lucas), who were left hanging after the
failed heist, have taken different paths in rebuilding their lives.
Akerman now works in a bar frequented by cops, while Lucas, embittered against
William for one reason or another, faked his own death and now impersonates as a
taxi driver.
Hell bent on revenge Lucas, convinced that William actually has the $10 million
cash the trio had originally set out to steal, kidnaps Alison. He locks her in
the trunk of his taxi and demands his share of the loot in exchange for her
return.
Lucas gives William just 24 hours to show up with the cash.
Since, William does not have the money anymore, he goes to the FBI Chief, Tim
Harlend (Danny Huston), for help to rescue his daughter. The police do not
believe him and dismisses him off. William is forced to pull off another heist
to raise the funds.
All this is supposed to be a 24-hour drama with a cat and mouse chase between
the cops and the colourful Marde Gras parade as the backdrop.
Cage as the helpless protective father is marvellous. He looks crazy,
determined, and convincing too.
Josh Lucas with his missing leg, shabby, dyed-blond hair, unkempt beard, and
manic eyes is intimidating at times. He outshines Cage with his slangy to
near-incomprehensible dialogue delivery and absurdly single minded vendetta.
Though the script is uninventive, there are a few not-bad bits that are well
staged by director Simon West. He has succeeded in drawing the dynamics of the
relationships between its characters very well.
He has also maintained the pace of the film. And he has made the heist seem
plausible.
To reiterate, "Stolen" is the action film you`ve seen over and over
again, but still holds up as an entertaining overall experience.
Through fun-focused delivery, West is able to briefly create a digestible fare.
Watch it if you are a Nicholas Cage fan.
