I find it interesting sometimes how I may come across a film that has been buried within the passing of time. Seemingly completely forgotten. Never really referenced. Never really discussed. Almost an ancient artifact of an era in Hollywood that feels long gone, despite having only been just over a decade ago. Looking back over that decade, it is very strange to see how much this industry of western filmmaking has changed. How such unique, simple ideas with relatively average budgets and far from being blockbusters have pretty much been cast aside and pushed into the area of straight to streaming services. Looking back, there are so many films that came out in Hollywood from the year of 2000 to 2010. That one decade, not even that long ago, present to what feels like the last of true filmmaking, now that the blockbuster era has taken control of theatres.
Every so often I stumble into one of these many films. Ones that sit there on a streaming service that appear out of nowhere as if activated into existence without anyone really noticing. The Maiden Heist is precisely that; appearing on Amazon Prime Video within the sea of new and old content that is easy to scroll through and overlook. While we are all very much familiar with the cast of this film, I had never heard of it prior. I have no recollection of it existing. And when this happens, even if the film isn't that great in the end, I feel this appreciation that these films still sometimes get given a second chance on these streaming services. Pulled from the ether and back into circulation, even if only for a few weeks before they realise that, while licensing is cheap, nobody is really checking it out.
The Maiden Heist was a pleasant surprise, though. Not just for its sudden appearance, but because it was in fact a really unique, simple film. Comedic in parts, simple in narrative and characters, and also rather wholesome despite its themes portraying the idea of pulling off a heist of some sort. Underneath this plan for a heist, however, is a burning passion for art, and the film explores three characters willing to risk everything just to ensure that they can continue to appreciate certain pieces of art; albeit for selfish reasons.
The Maiden Heist
Featuring the then-getting old cast of Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, and William H. Macy (if you have seen the Fargo film, you'll know this is), The Maiden Heist follows a set of individuals working as security guards for a relatively area of an art gallery. Each day each of them stand and stare at the pieces, appreciating them more than those around them. Knowing them more than anyone else. Pulled in by their beauty, and forever dreaming of their brilliance. These aged men come to the discovery that there is to be some rotation in the exhibits, and their beloved art pieces are to be packed up and sent across the world, deep into Europe. None of these characters could possibly imagine being taken from their passions, and the three slowly come together and form a plan to pull off a heist that will ensure they can remain with the art, while placing forgeries in their places to be sent off to Europe.
These characters are old, innocent, and simple men incapable of causing harm to others, but their love for art results in this plan to steal and replace for their own selfish needs. Willing to accept the risks that come with the attempt. It is a very simple story, and the characters are introduced and written in unique ways that allows them to stand out from each other despite ultimately having the same goal. Each art piece is more a reflection of themselves, and their characteristics very similar in that regard. The way these characters are written allows for them to be lovable, with humour in their innocence, ages, and ideas. They may know the building and schedules better than others, but they are far from actual criminals. As you would expect, this results in some laughs here and there throughout the film.
Though this is what I like about the film: it holds these comedic elements and uses them sporadically throughout the runtime, but it never really relies on them; we still get good character development that displays how dedicated they are to these pieces of art, how they sacrifice their own relationships or have dedicated their own artistic direction in pursuing the subject in their own vision. It adds to the innocent nature of these characters and allows us to connect with them more rather than seeing them as just three weird old men that want to steal some art so others can't see it. Outside of these comedic moments, there is still a story. A relatively enclosed world that is not given much context, because it just is not needed. Much like the more traditional style of Hollywood films where they get to the point, coming and going with just enough time to do so.
Without the need for action and special effects, The Maiden Heist is simple. It is direct. And actually very entertaining because of that. Its directing and cinematography are simple, but effective. With a good use of music and consideration for environment and background in how the story plays out, and how the characters interact with that environment. Enclosed spaces with a wide perspective, utilising background and foreground into the scene and events, using it to propel moments of suspense forward when the stakes are high or when there is some broader comedic element to witness and acknowledge. It is actually difficult to find faults in the film. Everything seems to be done just right. Of course it is far from perfect, but it is more than enough.
The performances from these three main characters is what helps make the film so good, though. Each of them being completely different to the other in every way, with a very serious but almost dumb manner of approaching things. Lines can be delivered in this deadpan manner in which things are meant to be serious, but are just too stupid to not be funny.
Hopes
I couldn't help but feel that Hollywood needs to return to this simple style of filmmaking again. To create original ideas that are simple but effective, requiring little budget and time to create due to such simplicity. I feel I enjoyed watching The Maiden Heist far more than I have enjoyed most modern films that even hold twice the length in runtime. It speaks on the issues of current western filmmaking and shows that there is a route back into being sustainable and without taking such massive risk in budget and needing every film to be a massive hit to make money. While modern audiences have changed, there can still be a change in how they consume such creations going forward. We've seen how it can work already, though I feel we are still in this era in which Hollywood feels that high budgets and special effects are a necessity.
And The Maiden Heist is just one of many examples of how this can be done. That the past had the right answer all along. Simplicity, effective, fun, and ensures it doesn't stick around for longer than it needs to.
