Heist film

The heist film is a subgenre of the crime film. It focuses on the planning, execution, and aftermath of a theft. Versions with dominant or prominent comic elements are often called caper movies. They could be described as the analogues of caper stories in film history. A typical film includes many plot twists, with the focus on the characters' attempts to formulate a plan, carry it out, and escape with the goods. Often a nemesis must be thwarted, who might be either a figure of authority or else a former partner who turned on the group or one of its members.

The archetypical plot

Usually a heist film will contain a three-act plot. The first act usually consists of the preparations for the heist: gathering conspirators; learning about the layout of the location to be robbed; learning about the alarm system; revealing innovative technologies to be used; and, most importantly, setting up the plot twists in the final act.

The second act is the heist itself. With rare exception, the heist will be successful, although some number of unexpected events will occur.

Heist (2001 film)

Heist is a 2001 crime film, written and directed by David Mamet, which stars Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, and Delroy Lindo, with Rebecca Pidgeon, Ricky Jay, and Sam Rockwell in supporting roles.

Plot

Joe Moore runs a ring of professional thieves, which includes Bobby Blane, Don "Pinky" Pincus and Joe's wife Fran. During a daylight robbery of a New York City jewelry store, Joe's face is captured by a security camera after he takes off his mask in an attempt to con/distract the store's last remaining employee. As both the picture and a witness can identify him, Joe chooses to retire from crime and plans to disappear on his sail boat with his wife, living off their share of the heist.

This does not sit well with Joe's fence, Mickey Bergman, who runs a garment business as a front. After accruing a number of expenses in setting up another, much more complicated robbery, Bergman decides to withhold the payment due to Joe and his crew. He insists they go through with the other job — robbing an airplane carrying a large shipment of gold. Bergman further insists that his hot-headed nephew, Jimmy Silk, be a part of the crew.

Heist (TV series)

Heist is an American television series that premiered March 22, 2006, on NBC, but was almost immediately canceled due to low ratings. The series was from acclaimed director Doug Liman and revolved around professional thief Mickey O' Neil (Dougray Scott), who created a team of experts to try to pull off the biggest heist in history — to simultaneously rob three jewelry stores on Rodeo Drive during Academy Awards week. Meanwhile, Amy Sykes (Michele Hicks), lead detective for LAPD’s Robbery Division, led the task force investigating a series of thefts committed by this new crew. Under high pressure from her superiors, she had to figure out not only who was behind the crimes, but also what larger job they were leading up to.

Cast and characters