Films of grand theft are very popular, especially those made in Hollywood. The stories are always similar in structure, narrating the beginnings of everything, from knowing who will do the robbery, the escape and subsequent success or failure. Argentine cinema presents a surprising robbery that was real.
The Argentinean filmmaker, Ariel Winograd, has a lot of experience making comedy films. In The Heist of the Century, he gives it the necessary input of humor to make it entertaining. In addition, the story of the robbery, has all the elements to make it a comedy, as incredible as it may seem, this insane robbery, happened in real life.
The film tells the details, from the management, preparation and execution of one of the most amazing bank robberies in Argentina. The amount stolen is estimated to be over twenty million dollars, including money, gold and jewellery. Although there is no total figure, all the money was never recovered. The fact fell well within society, who had suffered the blows of the banking crisis. The ideologue of the plan was an educated, artistic, bohemian, middle-class man. Another of the thieves, received dramatic lessons because he would be in charge of talking to the negotiator. It was an almost perfect plan...
One of the screenwriters of the film is Fernando Araujo. That artist, who had the idea to execute the robbery. That's why we see all the details and the problems they had to solve to make the plan successful.
The two main characters are played by two excellent Argentinean actors. Guillermo Francella and Diego Peretti.
Francella, this man (and Ricardo Darin) are acting monsters in Argentina. I've been a fan of Francella since I saw him on one of the TV comedy shows. Famous for the sketch of "La Nena". He has extensive experience in comedy and drama. This time, he plays Luis Mario Vitette Sellanes, who would be known as the Man in the Grey Suit, because he was that color, the one he used for the bank robbery. In charge of talking to the negotiator to gain time. Francella is always perfect, in any character.
Fun fact: In the film, they include the character of Luis Mario Vitette's daughter. In some interviews, she has stated that the real daughter is upset, for being included without her consent. The character is played by Johanna Francella, Guillermo Francella's real-life daughter.
Diego Peretti is the other leading actor. Another fabulous Argentinean actor. In the film he plays the boss and planner of the robbery: Fernando Araujo. Together with Francella, they do a great job. The charisma of the actors, is an important factor for the film to be entertaining.
Trailer
Attention: From this point on, there are spoilers. I'll tell you about the real thing. If you don't want to know anything without having seen the film. Don't read any further.
The real robbery
It happened on January 13, 2006. A group of men entered to rob a branch of the Banco de Rio , located in Acassuso, in the province of Buenos Aires. Apparently it was an armed robbery, they took hostage the employees and customers who were in the bank. The police surrounded the place, the snipers were on the roofs of the surrounding buildings. A hostage negotiator would start communicating with the assailants. After hours of negotiation, where the robbers ordered pizza, the police entered the bank. The robbers were gone. They had escaped.
For over a year, the robbers planned the robbery, had made a tunnel that connected the bank to the sewers. The hostage taking was just to buy time, open the safety boxes and get the loot out. The weapons they used were all toys.
"In a neighborhood of rich people, with no weapons or grudges, it's only money and no love." Written message left by the robbers at the bank.
The Capture
Is there a perfect plan? I think so, only that there are external elements that are beyond the control necessary for this kind of robbery. Those involved were caught. But it wasn't for police efficiency. No. The capture occurs because one of the people involved in the robbery is caught by the wife committing adultery. So, she, who knew about the robbery, turned them in to the police. After arresting him, she told the investigators everything and they caught the others.
What happened to those involved?
They are all free, went on with their lives, some wrote books, became famous and have legitimate businesses. They're cut off from the criminal world. For many, they are heroes, for having hit the bank. Did they keep money from the robbery hidden? Only they know that.
My Rankin: 3.5/5
