Amac Productions

The Italian Job!

Alright, on my must watch summer movie list!

“Get in. Get out. Get even.” 

Who doesn’t want to watch a movie with a tagline like that?

Fast cars.

Thieves taking revenge.

Ah. This was one of my favorite movies growing up. It came out in 2003. I wasn’t even ten yet. Every time it was on, I’d watch it.

Overall, it’s a pretty simple movie.

SPOILER ALERT STARTS HERE.

The movie starts off with the crew pulling a heist in Venice.

John Bridger calls his daughter, Stella, to inform her of his location which also alerts her to the fact he has come out of his retirement to resume being a thief. She insists he not go through with it, but he insists everything is fine.

She askes if Charlie is there, which he is.

John Bridger was the crew’s mastermind, he’s spent half of Stella’s life in jail, but he loves his daughter very much. Stella likewise loves her father but wished he’d given up his life of crime much sooner.

Currently, in this heist John Bridger is just the safecracker and Charlie has taken on the role of the crews’ mastermind.

This crew consists of a few trusted people.

Charlie Croker: The mastermind, planner, thinker, and has worked with John for years. He and Stella even know each other.

John Bridger: Safecracker, enjoying no longer holding the reins, and loves his daughter very much. And it appears he loves Charlie like a son. He also has odd sayings.

“I trust everyone, just not the devil inside them.”

“You know what F.I.N.E. stands for. Freaked out, insecure, neurotic, and emotional.” 

Handsome Rob: He’s called that because he is Handsome Rob. He’s also the team’s wheelman. He’s also a ladies man.

Left Ear: He put too many bombs in a toilet when he was younger causing him to lose the hearing in his right ear. He’s been blowing up ever since! He also doesn’t like dogs because according to him.

“I had a bad experience!” 

Lyle: He constantly claims throughout the movie he’s the real Napster. He’s the tech guy for the team, a bit awkward in general, especially with women. He’s a dork, but no one would trade him away for anything.

Steve: He’s the team’s inside man. A right grumpy guy too.

The team executes a perfect heist which Charlie planned so well none of the used a gun to get the gold they stole. Afterward they discuss their plans for their share of the money. Steve wants one of everything they said because he couldn’t think up anything on his own.

As they drive off with their haul they’re confronted by men Steve hired to steal the gold from the crew. Steve shoots and kills John as he escapes with the gold. He tries to kill the others and believes himself successful, but they escape.

Thus the premise of the movie is born!

Over a year later Charlie discovers where Steve has been hiding, so he recruits John Bridger’s daughter who is a professional safecracker on the legal side to help him steal the gold from Steve.

The whole premise of the movie centers around the crew getting revenge for John’s death by getting the gold back from Steve.

It also involves really crazy stunts and a lot of fast driving in Mini Coopers!

Which leads me to the real reason this movie appears on my summer movie must watch list!

Ever since I saw this movie for the first time I’ve wanted a Mini Cooper for myself! A few days ago my wish came true and I finally was able to purchase one!

Personally, I’ve always wanted the red one! As a little kid I dreamed of owning a red Mini Cooper just like Stella Bridger who was as badass as anyone on the crew. Could keep up with the boys and drove like a racecar driver! What little girl didn’t want that?

Maybe it was just me. I was and still am a weird woman.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find a red one in my price range but I did buy a blue one which was my second choice so… I’m good!

If you’ve never seen The Italian Job, it’s a must see.

Fast cars, clever thieves, and driving Mini Coopers where no cars are meant to go.

I won’t spoil the ending for anyone who hasn’t seen it so I’ll go into no further detail about the plot.

Overall, I love the chemistry between the cast. Their a lovely teasing and trust between them despite having been betrayed by a member. Instead, they band together as a family to avenge one of their own.

Also, they embrace Stella far better then expected.

Stella is on the straight and narrow often cracking safes for the police. She takes to being a thief quite well and fits in with all of the members despite the teasing between her and Handsome Rob. They bicker over whose the better driver.

It’s totally Stella.

Sorry Handsome Rob!

There’s a cool moment in the movie where Stella has to pretend to be a cable repair woman to get a video blueprint of Steve’s house. She’s forced to confront her father’s murderer and be nice to him.

As she prepares for this endeavor the rest of the guys give her instructions on what to do, like don’t walk too fast or the video will streak. They also each commend her on her bravery unsure they themselves could do this. She makes a joke, they smile, and Charlie reminds her she doesn’t have to do this despite needing the blueprint.

And she makes sense because Steve knows them and thinks they’re dead.

She insists she’s fine.

But Charlie reminds her what F.I.N.E. stands for and they share a laugh over her father.

It’s a nice moment because they never put her down or treat her like she’s less because she’s a woman. They’re worried because she’s never done this before and her first time with all this trickery has to be with the guy who murdered her father. Each of them do their best to be comforting, reminding her she’s not alone, and they’ll be there if something goes wrong.

It’s a great moment because it shows despite their outward appearances they are all good people.

Even if they are thieves.

This isn’t about the money.

It’s about righting a wrong.

Aside from the plot the action is great. All the actors do their own stunts and by stunts I mean it’s really them driving the Mini Coopers. Down the stairs, in tight spaces. It’s them.

Which makes it way cooler!

They took driving lessons to prepare for this movie.

All in all, I highly recommend this movie! If nothing else, if you like movies about driving cars crazily fast and in odd places you’re going to love this movie!

Read on and spread the love!