Crime 101 is an ensemble-led narrative, filled with unique perspectives, an emotional resonance, and expert performances and direction. It conjures a genre blend that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
★★★★☆
Filmed and set against the juxtaposing LA landscape—beaches, high-end residences, and apartments, as well as underpasses, Skid Row, and crumbling shopfronts—Crime 101 follows expert non-violent thief Mark (Chris Hemsworth) as he endeavours to complete one last robbery. As his crimes along Route 101 shock authorities, and run-down detective Lou (Mark Ruffalo) and high-end insurance broker Sharon (Halle Berry) weave their way into the tense narrative, we learn that Mark is likely searching for more than meets the eye.
Crime 101 marks director Bart Layton’s second entrance into narrative features, having followed American Animals (2018) by creating and producing documentary filmmaking with his production company RAW. This real-world filmmaking background is clear in Crime 101. Visually, rawer tones and illumination of both the poverty of LA and its scenic areas showcase the city’s inequality in all its unfairness. Narratively, Mark’s background feels based in reality; those entering the foster system are more likely to turn to crime, and throughout the narrative there are plenty of allusions to the trauma and instability his upbringing has caused. Despite the obviously dramatised plotline, this doesn’t feel inauthentic.
Despite being his second heist-focused, action flick, Layton isn’t just remaking American Animals here. The characters of Crime 101 have a deep emotional weight and fleshed-out backgrounds, while stylised filmmaking and a first-person POV immerses audiences in the action and each characters’ inner turmoil. Rather than a trope-filled story filled with senseless violence, Layton proves that there’s still space for innovation in the genre.
Most importantly, Crime 101 is clear with what it wants to do. Featuring not one but two Bruce Springsteen songs, there are plenty of nods to this story focusing on the underdogs and the working man. It lays out some of the effects of corruption within institutions, no better expressed than against LA.
Unlike countless actions of the past decade, in Crime 101 you can feel the range of consequences possible when a gun is drawn. Whilst plenty of films may use a weapon for a quick way to up the stakes, rarely does real panic and stress make it through the screen. It’s felt in every performance, from those holding the gun to the victims of the violence. A particularly high-fuelled moment features Barry Keoghan as Ormon who we encounter in a high-end jewellery store robbery. A less meticulous thief than our lead, he poses a threat to Mark’s final heist, adding a bit of instability to Mark’s carefully curated control. In this scene, the camera follows him as he executes panicked violence, the group on screen crackling with fearful energy. It’s a showcase to the filmmaking talents and performers to conjure this emotional atmosphere.
Hemsworth is familiar to the action genre, but here he conjures a character unrecognisable from his previous works. Hemsworth took inspiration from the documentary interview series Soft White Underbelly, which focuses on those frequently made invisible in society, when forming the backbones to Mark’s behaviour and mannerisms. That background work doesn’t go unnoticed, producing perhaps one of his finest performances since entering Hollywood.
Mark Ruffalo’s role is one familiar to the actor, though his performance is no less satisfying. As a contrast to others’ corrupting greed, Ruffalo’s Lou is a reliable thread against the underlying distrust of the establishment. He resonates with the audience by bringing a calmness and ease to his performance. Similarly Berry offers a lifeline to audiences, albeit in a flashier setting with her character Sharon. Facing consistent sexism in the workforce and striving for the position of partner in an insurance firm, Sharon treads the line between the ultra-rich hoarding wealth and those working for their keep and Berry steps into this resilience effortlessly. Their performances ensures a film beyond emotionless car chases and robberies, with real depth and interest.
Monica Barbaro as Maya, the love interest to Mark, brings a surprisingly inviting performance. Though, with Barbaro’s recent acting in A Complete Unknown, she feels reduced as a tool to find out more about the elusive thief. And despite Nicholas Nolte’s appearance as Money, playing a co-ordinator for Mark’s robberies, their minimised presence in the film leaves more questions than answers.
Crime 101 has an intriguing ensemble of characters and a unique narrative beyond the traditional cat and mouse dynamic of crime films, making for an exhilarating and compelling watch. Its focus on authenticity in storytelling is a refreshing change for the genre and with Layton at the helm and a star-studded cast to join him, Crime 101 is set to pack the punch it deserves in the box office.
The Verdict
Crime 101’s narrative picks up on such different aspects of corruption, whether it be police shootings, hoarding of wealth and fraud, or sexism in the workplace. But the overt and interesting way this is shown on screen and the interweaving of three narrative arcs (Hemsworth, Berry, and Ruffalo) feels thoughtful and divisive, rather than overly on the nose. A must watch for those looking for a crime thriller with an emotional impact.
Words by Annabel Smith
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