REEL | Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo Steal 'Crime 101'

"I suggest you load it."

Amazon MGM Studios / Working Title Films

English true-crime documentarian Bart Layton adapts pulp novelist Don Winslow's 2020 novella of the same name. Crime 101 stars frequent Avengers co-stars, Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, as our opposing criminal and cop characters. His hard-boiled film adaptation cleverly revolves around a series of jewel heists along the titular 101 Freeway in Los Angeles, and is clearly inspired by the many films of director Michael Mann, particularly Heat.

Joining the cat-and-mouse chase, we are also slowly introduced to Barry Keoghan's dirtbag rival thief and Halle Berry's affluent insurance broker co-conspirator, for a packed ensemble cast of talented performers. Surrounding them, both Monica Barbaro and Corey Hawkins elevate their small roles as Hemsworth's somewhat random love interest and Ruffalo's detective partner. Hemsworth plays the anxious but cool "lone wolf" professional thief archetype well, despite his obvious movie star presence and imposing stature.

Layton and Norwegian cinematographer Erik Wilson take their time framing the sunny L.A. setting and its attractive cast. Steve McQueen chase films like Bullitt are namechecked as Hemsworth and Ruffalo move through the film on parallel tracks towards a violent collision. Crime 101 weaves its interconnected characters smoothly aside from Keoghan's clearly wildcard factor, surely anyone could see will be a major problem thanks to his improvised incompetence.

Crime 101 boils itself down to its basic but pulpy crime genre elements. From the cars, cash, and jewelry, Layton revels in the gritty professionalism of his competent characters. Hemsworth, Ruffalo, and Berry all get their moments to shine while still adhering to clear archetypes used to fit their roles nicely within the layered, unfolding series of heists.


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