The Heist (1989)

What makes it different from others?

People are voting emotionally.

Brilliant and touching

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Wily con artist Neal Skinner (a sound and engaging performance by Pierce Brosnan) gets paroled after serving four years in prison. Neal plans to get revenge by robbing the racetrack run by his former partner Ebbet Berens (smoothly played by Tom Skerritt), who set Neal up in order to have complete dibs on the business. Moreover, Nal also wants his feisty old flame Sheila (a nice portrayal by Wendy Hughes) back. Director Stuart Orme, working from a smart and absorbing script by William Irish Jr., relates the tricky story at a steady pace, offers a flavorsome evocation of the racetrack setting, and stages the slick and exciting big gig with considerable aplomb. A strong supporting cast of reliable veteran thespians helps matters a whole lot: Robert Prosky as rascally gambler Dancer, Noble Willingham as crusty security guard Stuckey, and Tom Atkins as gruff ramrod Detective Leland. Ben Mittleman and Nino Surdo are amusing as two thuggish goons who work for Berens. The surprise twist at the very end is a real pip. Both George Tirl's sharp cinematography and Arthur B. Rubinstein's bluesy'n'funky score are up to speed. A neat little movie.

I am a sucker for heist films and for Pierce Brosnan, who did this little film after he finished with Remington Steele, and before he got famous as the best Bond ever.I like a good heist. Usually, I like to watch the planning, but that wasn't the feature here. he had everything in his head and didn't appear to share with anyone, except maybe his girlfriend Sheila (Wendy Hughes).This wasn't about money. It was about revenge against the guy who sent him to prison (Tom Skerritt) and winning his girl back.It wasn't terribly great, but it was enjoyable. He perfected his ability in this type of picture and was brilliant in The Thomas Crown Affair.

A man gets out of prison and gets back at his old partner by robbing his racetrack. He even tells him he;'s going to do it and the owner is ready for him. Yes, that's an improbable story but an intriguing one. It wound up with so many twists and turns in the final minutes that I couldn't follow all of them. Many of the twists centered around ex-con character, which was impossible to figure out.Pierce Brosnan played "Neil Skinner," a man who served four years in prison he shouldn't have had to serve. Tom Skerritt plays "Ebbet Berens," the racetrack owner whom Brosnan is after. Wendy Hughes plays "Sheila," the love interest in the film.Interesting overall as Brosnan seems to be tuning up for his suave, James Bond roles, which he would begin in about five years. This film was interesting, but unsatisfying by the time it was all over. A simpler ending would have made this a much better film.

Forget James Bond! Pierce Brosnan is at his best in this well-paced thoughtful revenge thriller--enough action for any Bond fan with enough twists and turns to keep the viewer guessing who will come out on top until the very end! Will the good guy win and get the girl? Watch and find out . . .