The Heist of the Century (2020): Incredible, But True

Based on a true story, The Heist of the Century is, as the title suggests, about an incredible bank robbery. It is an Argentine production [El Robo del Siglo] and was a huge hit in in its home country. Being in Spanish, the film’s American release was limited to art houses and a few indie theaters. This was in February 2020 just weeks before all theaters shut down thanks to covid-19. While it eventually became available on some streaming sites later that year - and even though I included The Heist of the Century in my list of the ten best movies of 2020 - not many people have heard of it, much less seen it. Which is a shame. 

The movie is based on one of the most famous heists in Argentine history, and certainly the most audacious one: the 2006 robbery of the Banco Rio branch in Acassuso, a Buenos Aires suburb. It’s not a message film, a political film or a deeply emotional or philosophical film; just an entertaining, very well-made comedy-thriller that’s clever, exciting, and great fun to watch. I first saw The Heist of the Century  streaming via the online Mill Valley Film Festival in October 2020, and we were all pretty jazzed about it afterwards, which was how it got onto my Ten Best list. I saw it again a few days ago, and enjoyed it all over again.   

Like most pictures, Heist is in three acts. In the first, the story centers on the mastermind and how he handpicks his henchmen, each with a distinct character and skillset. The man with the plan here is Fernando (Diego Peretti), a philosophical marijuana aficionado. Fernando is not a crook by profession, nor even by inclination. He works as an artist and martial arts instructor, but fundamentally, he is a contemplative non-conformist with an innate curiosity about the world around him – a curiosity that burns brightest under the influence of a joint or two. In short, he is a great, offbeat lead character. And Peretti plays him brilliantly.

One of the most interesting things about Fernando is his certainty, so when he gets his idea for how one could rob the bank - more for the challenge than for the money, although there would be loads of money - his conviction that his nascent plan will succeed is persuasive enough to bring others on board. Realizing the complexity of the task and his own complete lack of larcenous experience, he recruits a motley team of guys with useful talents for the task ahead, mostly non-professionals like himself. The one exception is Luis Mario Vitette Sellanes, wonderfully played by popular Venezuelan actor Guillermo Francello. Sellanes is a professional burglar all right, but one who has always worked alone and certainly never ever taken on a job like this. A charmer, with sparkling blue eyes and a persistent amused expression, he is charmed himself by Fernando’s sharp mind and commitment. As a pro, he helps keep Fernando on track by homing in on the most essential questions, such as: “Have you figured out how we’re going to get into the vault yet?”

In the glorious tradition of great heist films, we get to see how the plan is set up and developed, and then, in the second act, how it initially plays out in real time. In this case, the plan involves storming a branch of the Banco Rio, holding the customers hostage, and gathering up cash, bullion and jewelry worth millions. But also in the middle section, we meet the gang’s adversaries – scores of cops who surround the bank during the heist. There’s also their savvy but overmatched chief negotiator, Miguel Sileo (Luis Luque), who is determined to avoid a bloodbath (such as occurred in a Buenos Aires bank robbery a few years earlier) and equally determined to apprehend the thieves. 

As with many movies of this genre, by the time the scenario plays out in the third and final act, we are totally invested in and rooting for the success the robbers. And frankly, their situation seems pretty dire. Here, though, is where some previously undisclosed – and very clever -aspects of their plan are revealed to us, so maybe it’s not completely hopeless? 

Have they thought of everything? Do they get away with it?  Well, actually … 

…  nah, I’m not gonna say; my lips are sealed.  But I will say this: the robbers’ game plan itself is remarkably ingenuous and original. Then again, as Robert Burns noted – “the best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men. Gang aft a-gley [awry].”    Which is to say, shit happens. Did I mention that this is a true story? 

Without the star power (or bankroll) of a Hollywood production like Ocean’s Eleven, The Heist of the Century relies on a tight script, superior story and taut direction to keep us increasingly on the edge of our seats. The acting all around is credible, sincere and even endearing.  The construction of the film is well thought out and the tone is increasingly urgent but also sweet. In short, it is a quality piece of work.

And as with many of the best films in this genre, the movie is funny as well as intriguing. It even throws in a bit of a false ending to keep us on our toes. 

This is truly fun stuff folks, right up there with the best of them. I suspect you’ll enjoy it.

1 hour 54 minutes 

Grade: A-

Available streaming: free with subscription to HBO, HBOMax, Direct TV or Spectrum; or for rent  ($2 to $4) on Amazon, AppleTV+, GooglePlay and elsewhere.