CALL ME SNAKE

Last week I saw the acclaimed caper flick, The Bank Job. As the name suggests, it’s a familiar kind of tale–one that’s been done in many different ways but usually to similar effect. The thing that got me about this movie [SPOILER ALERT!!!] was that it had a surprisingly happy ending that I didn’t see coming and was totally unearned. The so-called “hero” (played by Jason Stratham) brings his friends and buddies in on this sweet deal, and gets a couple of them get killed–at least two in brutal fashion. The hero gets to have an hour-and-50 minute flirtation with Saffron Burrows (who had a thing with James Spader in an elevator once upon a time), make off with all kinds of bootie, make up with his wife and kids, and take them off on a yacht in a warm sunny place. Good for him, but what about the rest of his gang? Note: If a friend like this ever calls you, just say you’re busy. Make sure you’re out of head-butting range. And then call in for the reward.