Title: Heist Director: David Mamet Cast: Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, Rebecca Pidgeon, Delroy Lindo, Ricky Jay, Sam Rockwell Rated: R Opened: November 9, 2001 Official Site: Heist.com "Heist" is the movie "The Score" wanted to be. David Mamet is in vintage form as he both wrote and directed this film. Gene Hackman stars as a big time jewel thief who must do, you guessed it, one last job before he can sail off to warmer waters with his much younger wife played by Rebecca Pidgeon. Hackman and his gang which includes Pidgeon, Delroy Lindo and Ricky Jay pull a robbery to start the film and before they can collect their shares Danny DeVito tells them they have to do this final job. DeVito also tells them that they must take along his nephew on the job. The nephew is brilliantly played by Sam Rockwell. From that point on there are twists a plenty and the cool thing is that Mamet has written a piece that is smart enough to not get fooled by its own cleverness. Mamet has always put in twists that you can predict and others that you can't. So as you are watching the cat and mouse game you are also trying to figure out where it is going. Once you get tricked a few times all bets are off and it is just sit back and enjoy the ride. Mamet also knows how to write complete characters. So many times in films today there will be a scene where there is some great dialog but it doesn't fit with the characters or the film. In "Heist" Mamet makes it work by giving the cast some fabulously written characters to explore and build upon. You can tell that there was improvisation in scenes and that gives it a realism that most of today's thrillers lack. All of the cast is excellent and deliver powerhouse performances. If you want a movie made for adults which is a well written, acted and directed film, "Heist" is for you. - Ted Pfeifer