The Maiden Heist (2009) User Reviews

A fun little movie

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 3 August 2010]

That could. Not because of the story so much, but more because of the actors that are in it. And is it a bad thing, that this movie works mainly because of the three main actors? Don't be fooled by the mention of Breckin Meyers though, he doesn't have a big role in this (just in case you're a fan of his).

No this movie belongs to the "big three". Mainly to Christopher Walken, because he is the lead. But everyone else gets his time and they are really great. They have funny scenes and the movie roles along quite nicely. Maybe if it had a better script, a greater antagonist (there really isn't one), it could have been better. But it is a nice watch and a good film.

Like Freeman's THE CODE, a mix of the decent and not-so-decent

[Wizard-8 · 25 November 2009]

What's up with Morgan Freeman appearing in heist movies that go direct to video? Just a few months ago we got THE CODE, and now we have THE MAIDEN HEIST. Actually, it does appear that THE MAIDEN HEIST was originally going to have a theatrical release, but the bankruptcy of the Yari Film Group put an end to those plans and no other distributor seemed interested in releasing it to theaters.

Based on that fact, you might think that this is a bad movie, but it's not. There are some positive things about it. The production values are pretty strong for what was reportedly a somewhat limited budget; nothing about the movie looks cheap. The planning of the heist and the execution of the heist have some believable complications, and what's done about them are believable as well. Some humorous touches are amusing. Freeman, Walken, and Macy play a likable bunch of fellows that you hope will succeed.

But there's also some not-so-decent things about the movie. The violent opening fantasy sequence seems way out of place with its harsh tone. Except for Walken's character, we don't learn too much about the characters in the movie. There are some unexplained things in the movie, like where the thieves got the van and how Walken's character adjusted the vacation he was going to take with his wife. The main problem, however, is that while the movie is refreshingly low key, it's TOO low key. It's lacking a bit more edge to it. Some more excitement or some more laughs would have helped a lot.

Maybe it's best that this didn't land in theaters; I wouldn't have recommended to pay full price to see it in a theater. But if you like caper movies, like any or all of the three lead actors, and you can see it for little or no cost, it's an acceptable time waster.

For the Love of Art

[gradyharp · 8/10 · 2 January 2011]

THE MAIDEN HEIST (there is a more to the title than you might think) is like getting together with old friends for a chuckle. Michael LeSieur has written a feel good comedy and Peter Hewitt has directed that script with the help of a fine cast and the results are a fun film that has some gentle hidden messages about friendship, relationships, and loving your job.

A Boston art museum is making plans to ship an exhibition of works to Denmark. This news is hocking and upsetting to three of the museum guards: Charles (Morgan Freeman, in a subtle gender twist) is passionate for a painting of a girl with cats, Roger (Christopher) is literally enamored by a painting of a lonely girl on a beach, and military minded George (William H. Macy) is so obsessed by a bronze sculpture of an athlete that he secretly poses au natural imitating the pose of the athlete when no one is around. When these three works are designated to be part of the shipment to Denmark the three men pop into action - they find artists to copy their beloved artworks to 'exchange' in the crates when the exhibition leaves the museum. How they achieve this bold heist is the plot of the film. There are many problems: the exchanged crate must contain the authentic pieces accompanied by George until the shipment leaves the museum, and Roger's intrusive wife Rose (Marcia Gay Harden) nearly aborts the boys' plan by insisting on an anniversary trip to Florida. The heist has its problems, as the museum guards are simply good guys trying to prevent the sale of their beloved art works they guard every day. The poster line says it all: 'They're not bad guys, just bad thieves.'

It is a pleasure to see three fine actors such as Freeman, Walken and Macy pull off this comedy, aided by the absurd character Marcia Gay Harden inhabits. It is well-scripted full and it is very obvious that these actors are having a great time with the film.

Grady Harp

Better than Average Straight to DVD should have had theatrical release

[dfwforeignbuff · 7/10 · 29 January 2010]

Maiden Heist (2008) The Maiden Heist quickly sold out at its opening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. It's a light-hearted caper that makes for undemanding viewing. It is a fairly entertaining comedy heist film starring Morgan Freeman, William Macy, and Christopher Walken. Plot. Great art has its protectors every day in the major museums. Three guards are more than dedicated to the job they do. Their museum brings in modern work that has no appeal to the guards, and the museum authorities plan to sell the classic pieces, sending them elsewhere in the world. When Roger (Christopher Walken) and George (William H. Macy) and Charles (Morgan Freeman) find their long-beloved work transplanted to Europe, they not only miss their favorite art pieces, but they make plans to steal the works with which they have become obsessed. Roger becomes the mastermind of an inside plot to perform the biggest art heist in the history of their museum. First each must obtain a forgery; then, they have to smuggle the forgeries into the museum and find a way to make the switches. The heist is complicated by Roger's intrusive wife - he's promised her a trip to Florida for their anniversary - and George's proclivity for taking his clothes off when standing in front of the warrior statue he loves. THE MAIDEN HEIST was originally going to have a theatrical release, but the bankruptcy of the Yari Film Group put the film in a direct to DVD status. It feels like a 70s movie that Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon would have done, where slightly nutty characters would made the film but that's not the case anymore. This is a comedy that might make Woody Allen fans recall (affectionately) Small Time Crooks, even though this film is very different to Allen's caper. The Maiden Heist isn't another turkey unceremoniously dumped to Netflix. It's an above average straight-to-DVD effort, it is weaker than one might expect considering its power stars in the cast . It's really quite an entertaining comedy though more could have been done but I like it OK as it was. Not a great film but not a bad film 3 stars.

cool fun film

[dexteruk · 8/10 · 7 February 2010]

I really Enjoyed this film, and it was full of some suspense. Its a rather different film for sure. Other reviewers do not like how its unbelevable, but have they worked in such a place for any period of time, are they art lovers themselves? are they ever captivated by anything in life. I think this shows very well the obsessive nature of people. Anything can take a persons fancy, and become an obsession, a piece of sting, how mundane it is to some, could be someones obsession, and they could know all manner of things about it.

so in that respect this film touches on a good subject, has fun moments, and is not made to be a serious film, its a fun film, just i think people need to relax more and learn to just enjoy it.

A fun little Movie with a Super Cast

[docm-32304 · 7/10 · 30 October 2020]

When I saw the cast, I put this on my watchlist, regardless of any ratings. Christopher Walken is his usual freak self and wait until you see Morgan Freeman and Macy's haircuts...hilarious on their own. I found the film engaging and humorous...not a roll on the floor comedy, just humorous. Worth a watch

Funny...

[sedagive42 · 9/10 · 15 May 2011]

Of course it was no :Lion in Winter, but it was funny, lighthearted and had 4 good actors in it. If you are a fan of any of them you won't be disappointed. I was surfing and just happened to come across it. Cute and a great way to spend a rainy afternoon. I am sorry some others have taken such a negative view. It does not pretend to be a serious drama, and I am sure Walken, Freeman, Harden and Macy had a great time making it. It plays to characters they have all played.....and there is no blood or gore. I did enjoy the 'getting ready" scenes they played really well..and so what if the background is not what you expected..it is still worth the time..

Don't go with the rating

[monith234 · 8/10 · 5 July 2010]

Well it's quite a surprise for me that this movie being so funny is lowly rated. What's worth watching is the star cast,and above all the plot. The movie gets even more interesting towards the end. The role of Rose played by Marcia Harden is too good and she nicely fits into the role. This movie will definitely give good hearty laughs,don't miss out on this. Although they could have got more comic element into it but, still its good entertainment. The characters of Roger,George and Charles are outstanding. Roger has the uncanny habit of getting into embarrassing situations. Roger does most of the comedy. A real thumbs up for this movie.

Beauty is in the hands of the Beholders.

[dunmore_ego · 5/10 · 10 December 2009]

A quaint little heist comedy, with a nifty romantic resolution, THE MAIDEN HEIST stars Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken and William H. Macy as security guards at a Boston art museum, so enamored with certain art pieces that when those pieces are sold to a European museum, they decide to steal the pieces for themselves and replace them with fakes.

Theft for love not money. There are layers to be discovered in THE MAIDEN HEIST that most people won't take the time to tease out. Director Peter Hewitt and writer Michael LeSieur ambitiously recruit three of the greatest actors in the world to convey the levels of irrational passion that beholders of art are victim to. These guys can convey more in a raised eyebrow than most people can convey with a GLENGARRY monologue and a John Woo helicopter explosion combined.

Still, it seems like the film is one long exercise in comedic opportunities gone missing.

The slogan says, "They're not bad guys. Just bad thieves." But they pull off the heist with a minimum of farty slapstick. So they're not really bad thieves, they're just marketed that way. The real story is buried beneath the heist and its attendant farcical passages.

It is amusing just watching Walken Being Walken, as Roger the neurotic security guard, who has been guarding a painting called The Lonely Maiden for so long, it has become his surrogate love over his real wife (Marcia Gay Harden, who creates a devilishly spot-on Florida-bound retiree). No prizes for guessing that Roger realizes his love was right there all along - but this reveal is where the movie shines in its own subtle way.

If you blink, you'll miss beige Breckin Meyer's two-minute cameo as a Starving Artist. Thankfully. Meanwhile, we can't AVOID William H. Macy going Full Monty - at every opportunity, he poses nude before his favorite sculpture, The Bronze Warrior. (For an older guy, Macy is pretty taut and he himself admits this may be the last time he will have the opportunity to go bareback and still look good.) Morgan Freeman's character is a little harder to pin down, as he moons over the painting Lady With Cats, ambiguously gay in all the subtle ways only a great actor can convey, without having to lisp ferociously.

Like I said, quaint.

--Review by Poffy The Cucumber (for Poffy's Movie Mania).

great cast, highly entertaining

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 26 October 2014]

I can't believe this comedy went right to DVD. When I think of some of the garbage the big studios put out and call comedy, I'm appalled that "The Maiden Heist" did not have a theatrical release. However, I believe the production company went bankrupt.

The films stars Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, William H. Macy, and Marcia Gay Harden. Freeman, Walken, and Macy are museum guards. Each over time has become attached to a particular work of art. For Roger (Walken), it's The Lonely Maiden; for Charles (Freeman), it's a portrait of a woman with cats; and for George (Macy) it's the sculpture of an athlete which so consumes him that each time he sees it (thankfully as he's guarding at night) he strips off his clothes and copies the pose.

When the three learn that these pieces are all going to Denmark, they devise a plan to switch them with copies. Since they've studied these works and know every subtlety, nothing passes muster, and it takes a while to get everything assembled. Then they volunteer to help pack and take the art to the airport. In a subplot, Roger's annoying wife (Harden) wants to take a trip to Florida, and because of her big mouth, Roger almost doesn't get to be part of the packing-switching. On the actual day of the job, there are some unexpected occurrences.

Very funny, fresh comedy with outstanding performances by everyone but Harden, an excellent actress but here, she is over the top. WAY over. She may very well have been directed that way, but that New York accent was overdone. In one of the last scenes in the van, however, she is absolutely hysterical reacting to what she thinks is a surprise planned by Roger.

A wonderful movie, a warm film about friendship, and a passion for art among everyday guys. The movie has two endings; you'll think it's over but there's a little more. I really loved it.

Try it...really...please...

[skunkgyrl · 8/10 · 6 June 2010]

I loved this movie. Hubby brought it home for my birthday pizza-movie night and it was wonderful. The characters are different from what you would normally see these fine actors playing and it seems like they enjoyed it! The performances were uniformly excellent. The story was lovely.

And I, at least, believed that these pieces were THAT important to these characters. I think if you stand in the presence of art for hours...days...months...years...you could easily find in it the source for what you feel you are missing.

Some of the reviews say it is slow, but I think sometimes it is so nice to take a little time to get to know the characters in a story rather than having their life story shoved down your throat in 90 seconds so that the explosions can begin...give it a try...please...

Good actors & a predictable storyline ... an innocent satirical comedy.

[CinemaAddict · 7/10 · 25 October 2009]

This film has less to do with art than some might suggest. Rather, this great satire is centred on the ridicule of the modern man. Having rid himself of any history, cultural belief and, ultimately, of his identity, in the name of liberty, equality and multiculturalism while the superficial industrial regimes imposed their utilitarian philosophy during the last couple centuries, the meaninglessness of the modern man's life is ever so flagrant.

Peter Hewitt casts great actors to play the role of museum security guards who have spent the better part of their lives standing still. Each of these guards becomes attached to and finds meaning for his life in one of the pieces of art of the museum. However unexciting the main storyline might be, Hewitt uses the script to build this satire on so much realism that it makes for a good comedy.

If you are looking for a light and innocent comedy, can look past a couple stereotypes and predictable twists, than you might enjoy this movie.

Just a silly museum heist movie, but good for the main characters.

[TxMike · 2 February 2011]

It seems like they should have been in New York, but the Boston Museum is featured prominently. I watched it on Netflix streaming.

It is ultimately about 3 museum guards, each with a favorite work of art that they study and admire most of their shift. They get news that the collection is being sold and shipped to Denmark. What to do? Move to Denmark? Or maybe pull off a fantastic heist.

Christopher Walken is Roger Barlow and he adores the painting "The Lonely Maiden" , thus the title "The Maiden Heist." He is married to and has a great relationship with Marcia Gay Harden as Rose Barlow.

Fellow guard Morgan Freeman as Charles Peterson adores a different painting. While fellow guard William H. Macy as George McLendon adores a bronze statue of a nude male. In fact when Charles is viewing some graveyard shift security tapes he sees that George takes all his clothes off and poses alongside the statue. With that threat of exposure hanging over him he cooperates with the other two.

This is just light, funny entertainment, and there are lots of funny scenes. They are all good, but my favorite is Walken, who is a master comic even though he is more known for his tough guy roles. A very enjoyable movie.

SPOILERS: The plan they hatch is to have very high quality reproductions made of each piece, substitute them for the real ones overnight in storage after final packing, and keep the real ones for themselves. As expected it doesn't all go smoothly, which makes for many laughs, but in the end they are successful.

JUST WASN'T FUNNY

[nogodnomasters · 4/10 · 25 May 2018]

You would think with all these stars this would be a great movie. It wasn't. The film moved very slow. The main characters outside of Macy were dull. The idea was clever, but the dialogue was not what I would expect from a real comedy. I didn't have any laugh out loud moments for this "madcap comedy." Three security guards are each in love with one particular piece of art. The museum is going to move the pieces so they decide to make fakes and substitute them for the real pieces. What was supposed to be "madcap" I assume, were the errors they made in swapping the paintings. It too was slow. Freeman and Walker should not be doing this type of "comedy" as they plainly don't have a feel for it.

I left this movie the first time, and really shouldn't have!

[bellino-angelo2014 · 8/10 · 27 December 2022]

I catched THE MAIDEN HEIST on TV in January 2019 but left if halfway because I assumed it was stupid. Fast forward to September 2022 (3 and a half years later). I read that they had to air it on a TV channel, during these years I saw more than 900 movies give or take, I became a fan of some of the cast members and, my opinions and standards have changed. So I sat and watched it to the end and I am glad I did because it was worth it.

Roger Barlow (Christopher Walken) is a museum security guard that is obsessed with the painting of a maiden on a beach to the point that his wife thinks that he thinks more about the painting than her or anything else. One day it's announced that the painting and most of the exhibits are to be moved in Denmark. So Roger and his colleagues Charles Peterson (Morgan Freeman) and George McLendon (William Macy) manage to steal their favourite artworks for keeping them for themselves.

The performances were the film's strongpoint. Walken and Macy are used to play comedic characters like the ones played here, but Freeman even amazed me because he mostly stars in actions and thrillers but he managed to be great in a comedy... talk about a nice change of pace! The situations were funny and I laughed at least every 10-15 minutes, and the ending made me think. You see, when Roger and his wife are in vacation in Florida, he finally understood that stealing the painting wasn't important and he has to enjoy his wife more. I appreciated it because it managed to make it more dramatic than comedic.

I recommend that if you, like me, assumed that this is a dumb comedy... you need to see the movie and your mind will change.

painting trumps heist

[Quinoa1984 · 6/10 · 17 December 2009]

It's a curious and odd thing to see a movie about art and and a heist where the art trumps the heist. But here we have The Maiden Heist, about three semi-bumbling thieves who work as security guards and want to save their favorite pieces of art (two paintings and a sculpture) before they're shipped off to a Copenhagen museum, and it is just that.

I wish this could have been a movie to really be excited about, for it to be one of those hidden gems that one finds went straight to DVD unjustly and that it should be discovered. That wish is moot as the film is what it is: a straight to DVD movie, deservedly, on the basis of its weak characterizations and direction. It's not that anything is particularly awful or really contrived in the film, it's just that nothing is very interesting either.

The cast (Freeman, Macy, Walken, Harden) should be the big reason to rent the film- matter of fact, over paintings and heists, the reason I did- but they're only given so much to do with their characters put into lackluster comic situations, such as the preparation for the heist (how to climb down a roof-top by Christopher Walken should also be a highlight, but alas is not). What is interesting though is seeing scenes where the characters confront their morbid obsession (or lack thereof) for their works of art, like when Walken flashes to fighting off a horde of thieves (ironically enough) in the opening sequence for the painting, or when Freeman, disappointed, shows that he can't really paint Walken's painting as a fake, only his own favorite. And the heist itself, while not bad, is a far cry from ones to aspire to see.

It's a flawed work that is perhaps just about right for a nothing-to-do weekend movie when on TV, but coming from such immense talents as the three males and one female stars it's a downer. Or rather, a work that doesn't have as much 'there-there' as it should.

Interpreting Maiden Heist

[mrmac-1 · 9/10 · 19 May 2011]

9 out of 10 for what I perceive this film is expressing.

There is something really special, unique even, about this film, whatever you think about story or acting, that follows at the end below.

How to show the extraordinary in the ordinariness of people's lives? And present it in an interesting and entertaining way, without being judgmental? First, choose three of the most accomplished actors of the past half-century. Then make the story about good guys being naughty, sorta in the anti-hero vein. Finally, add feelings of genuine affection, friendship and love.

This is an actors movie, and will be especially gratifying for those who appreciate consummate acting. But there's more to it. Many years back I read an article in the NYT Magazine discussing the work of Glenda Jackson. They described her as an "honest" actor. Honesty is a quality of every great actor. Honesty comes from innocence, perhaps being totally honest with oneself. These three (actually four considering Harden) actors are so accomplished that they need not convince us – they *are* their characters. What acting is about. Just like life. We each find something interesting in our lives, and this not only connects us with others but provides a way to express ourselves and find friendship, even love, but most certainly, the possibility of a kindness within that is particularly human. The quotes below touch on this.

kosmasp - And is it a bad thing, that this movie works mainly because of the three main actors?

skunkgyrl - THE MAIDEN HEIST (there is a more to the title than you might think) is like getting together with old friends for a chuckle. . . .the results are a fun film that has some gentle hidden messages about friendship, relationships, and loving your job. . . It is a pleasure to see three fine actors such as Freeman, Walken and Macy pull off this comedy, aided by the absurd character Marcia Gay Harden inhabits. It is well-scripted full and it is very obvious that these actors are having a great time with the film.

dexteruk - Anything can take a persons fancy, and become an obsession, a piece of string, how mundane it is to some, could be someones obsession, and they could know all manner of things about it.

So here it is. What is truly special about this film is its ending, or the plural, "endingS." Endings are extremely important to any story, and especially in film because of its immediacy and closeness to everyday reality (and notice how many novels have an epilogue). Dysfunctional endings in films (and I'm not talking about endings that leave things hanging, as these can be quite an effective device to involve us in the story) that come to mind (and ruined fine stories) are The Temp and January Man. Dontya want an ending that provides a new beginning, or at least gets you to ponder further? This film has four, yes, four endings. The test of this perception is to view the film from when Christopher Walken is snorkeling in the ocean on to the end, first discovering each of the four endings, ending the film in your mind after each of them, and using your imagination to find out if each would work in terms of the story. Really. There are four endings. What the artist creates is not always conscious. They are each a channel. And so I don't think that the four endings were by design. But they are there. And wonderfully refreshing.

Hollywood Reborn

[kcterrell-25046 · 9/10 · 6 November 2018]

This film is charming, and a little quirky, and gives everything you would expect from this trio of Walken, Freemand and Macy. I didn't know Hollywood could still make films like this. Lots of parallels to the old Alec Guiness comedies, but it borrows from nothing. An original story, superbly acted and directed, along with a plot that doesn't slow down. A really tight little story. Loved it!

The security guards steal the art they love

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 4 April 2013]

Roger is a security guard who is obsessed by the painting 'The Lonely Maiden' to such an extent that he knows more about it than the museum guides and even fantasises about preventing armed robbers from stealing it. Then one day he learns that the museum has sold it and it is soon to be shipped to Denmark along with every other item in that particular gallery. Roger soon learns that he isn't the only security guard about to lose a beloved work of art; Charles is obsessed with another painting and George likes a nude sculpture so much that he likes to pose alongside it when he thinks he is alone at night! Together they hatch a plan to steal the three works; it won't be easy though; they will have to get three near perfect copies and find a way to switch them during the transfer.

This film might not be a classic but it is pretty funny; this is helped by having three genuine stars; Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman and William H. Macy; playing the three leads Roger, Charles and George respectively. They all perform well as does Marcia Gay Harden who plays Roger's wife. As one might expect it is far-fetched but that doesn't matter as is has plenty of laugh out loud moments… not all involving a naked William H. Macy! When the robbery occurs it is moderately exciting although not as exciting as the imagined robbery attempt we see in the opening scene. There is little too offend here, so long as you don't mind seeing a man's bare backside; there was one rather muffled obscenity; certainly less than most films of a similar raring these days. Overall I'd recommend this is you want an entertaining family movie and don't expect too much depth.

Well, it looked good from its cover

[bowmanblue · 5/10 · 24 August 2014]

Morgan Freeman. Christopher Walken. William H Macy. With three leads like that, how could the film possibly fail? It does. Sort of. 'The Heist' is about three security guards who work in a museum. When their favourite works of art are sold to an overseas gallery, they decide to steal them for themselves. The three leads are as good as you'd expect them to be. However, they're given very little to work with. You may see this advertised as a 'comedy,' but it really isn't that funny. It's sort of a drama, but not very dramatic. And don't be lulled into thinking there's any major action in it - if you've seen scenes of shoot-outs in the trailers then be warned: they're part of a sixty second dream sequence at the very start of the film.

Yes, this film is pretty 'easy going.' It's gentle and warm and there's nothing to shock, offend or distress. However, with the acting talent on display, you feel it could be so much more. There will be two sorts of people who watch this: one sort will enjoy it for its niceness, the other sort will hate it for being boring. One thing's for sure... if it sadly average.

http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/

An unusual comedy platter

[Chris_Docker · 5/10 · 29 June 2009]

Art shouldn't just be for highbrow types. A painting can have special meaning. Even for an ordinary blue-collar Joe. At least that's the message from director Pete Hewitt. This is knockabout comedy that might make Woody Allen fans affectionately recall Small Time Crooks, even though this film is very different to Allen's caper and wears its point on its sleeve. "Great art is not solely the domain of the connoisseur," says Hewitt. "Anyone can be emotionally transported by a few paint smudges on a canvas." Hewitt (Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, Thunderpants) has here come up with a grand robbery that is for love rather than money. Three misfit security guards at the museum embark on a dangerous journey to save the things they hold dear.

Decorated with a galaxy of stars, the Maiden Heist has been avidly awaited by fans worrying if it will see the light of day. In December 2008, the distribution arm of the Yari Film Group responsible filed for bankruptcy. Yari's Emily Lambert e-mailed the Globe saying, "I don't anticipate any screenings of The Maiden Heist in the near future," and producer Rob Paris went scrambling to find a new distributor. With a comparatively modest budget of $20 million, Paris feels he has got great value. "Our movie needed the scope the size of the Worcester Art Museum," he says. "It gave the film a look, a richness, that we otherwise wouldn't have gotten." The WAM is used to establish the interior of the fictional Boston Art Museum (BAM) in which our story takes place.

Scriptwriter Michael LeSieur had a top comedy actor in his previous hit (You, Me & Dupree) in the form of Owen Wilson. In The Maiden Heist, the chameleon-like talents of William H Macy first spring to mind as being suited to comedy, due to his Fargo fame, when he played the police story with subtle humour. Christopher Walken and Morgan Freeman are better known for their serious roles, but we should remember that Walken has also starred in comedy (Wedding Crashers, Hairspray), even if it is to play the straight man against the likes of Owen Wilson. Freeman has had brushes with his funny side in Bruce Almighty. Heading up the supporting cast is Marcia Gay Harden, who won an Oscar playing an artist (Lee Krasner) in the art biopic, Pollock. But it is probably fair to say that all these great stars are known primarily for their power to bring great depth to serious dramatic roles. There were moments in The Maiden Heist where I felt they were bumbling through the comedy rather than playing bumbling heisters. I found this a bit worrying as I have deep respect for their work. But maybe other viewers could find the apparent mismatch of seemingly inappropriate casting oddly rewarding.

The big star of The Maiden Heist though is of course the central painting. Roger (Christopher Walken) stares at 'The Lonely Maiden' for years. First as a way to pass time, but now as a way to address or replace what is lacking in his life. The painting has become his passion. His obsession. Supplanting the passion he once felt for his wife. This particular artwork in the film was especially created by painter Jeremy Lipking. "When I first met with the director he opened up the Gabriel Weisberg book Beyond Impressionism: the Naturalist Impulse, (which is probably the most worn out book on my shelf) and said, 'We need something like this.' A painting in the manner of Naturalist painters George Clausen, Emile Friant and Jules Bastien Lepage. I had to finish the painting in 7 days. It normally would have taken me a month or longer to do something this size. I got artist model Toni Czechorosky help me out with the period costume." Macy's character, on the other hand, is obsessed with a statue. Creating it involved photographing a naked Macy from a three-hundred and sixty degree perspective. (The photographs went to a sculptor in Los Angeles, who brought in another model and photographed him in the same fashion before creating a mould for the statue.)

The Maiden Heist quickly sold out at its opening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. It's a light-hearted caper that makes for undemanding viewing. I don't see audiences flocking to galleries as a result, but who knows? While Roger might find his wife has been his lonely maiden all along, many viewers may more identify with the bit where he flits to Florida with the missis. Missing out on the art appreciation stuff seems a convenient bypass. If this is the case, the film is somewhat hypocritical in its claim about art and the general masses. It uses the notion to entertain without encouraging us to seriously engage. LeSieur, who wrote the script as a film school thesis project, may well be an art enthusiast. But the idea that ordinary people don't love art is a bit worrying to those of us that do. Shortly after I visited (during extensive bar-hopping) the beautiful Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, it was victimised by amateur thieves who posed as security guards. If you see me exit the Tate Modern with a naked William H Macy under my arm, please shoot me. Or take him back – he is a high-value asset of the acting profession and should not be high-jacked. "But it was a maiden heist, officer. . ."

Very enjoyable

[dierregi · 7/10 · 20 September 2023]

It's easy to see that the target of this movie is middle aged folks, but what's wrong with that and most of all, it's not like only the younger deserve to be entertained.

The three main characters are the great Freeman, Macy and especially Walken, as the protagonist Roger, one of the most "normal" characters I ever saw Walken playing. Except that Roger is a museum guard and "in love" with the maiden in a painting.

When the museum decides to ship the maiden and other works of art to Denmark, Roger panics and enlist two other guards, respectively in love with a small painting of a girl pouring milk to cats and a bronze athlete's statue, to steal their objects of desire.

What ensues is hilarious and I even laughed out loud more than once, because the thieves are elderly, not athletic and unexperienced and yet don't want to give up. Real fun and excellent interpretations by the whole cast.

Moving the art

[Prismark10 · 3/10 · 13 September 2016]

Roger (Christopher Walken) is a security guard in a museum who spends the day in front of the painting 'The Lonely Maiden' which he admires. He knows so much about the painting he can give an in depth talk about it to the museum visitors. When he is bored he daydreams of saving the museums from armed crooks which is a scene that the film opens with.

The rest of the film is underwhelming and low key as Roger finds out that museum is selling its collection to a museum in Denmark. Two other security guards Charles (Morgan Freeman) and George (William H Macy) are just as upset at this decision as they too have a favourite object of beauty at the museum. Moving to Denmark is not a viable option.

They decide to steal their favourite pieces and replace it with a copy but it is easier said than done. George who claims to be ex military and who also likes to be naked has the more difficult task when it comes to making the switch.

The film is amiable but also forgettable and at times it is just unexciting before it becomes more tense at the latter part of the picture. It is more a light comedy than drama but I could not help thinking that all three leads have made better heist films before such as Walken in The Anderson Tapes and Macy in Welcome to Collinwood.

Marginal comedy

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 26 February 2014]

Roger Barlow (Christopher Walken) day dreams as security guard in a museum. His big joy is to spend the day in front of the painting 'The Lonely Maiden'. Then he finds out that the new curator is selling many of the works including his Maiden. Other security guards Charles Peterson (Morgan Freeman) and George McLendon (William H. Macy) are in the same boat, and they come up with a scheme to steal their art pieces.

This is a marginal comedy. The three guys are great actors, but there aren't that many funny jokes. There's a couple of cute moments. And Macy gets naked. That was weird. It just needs an energetic improvisational comedian in the mix, and a funnier script.

Strangely marketed but surprisingly decent.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 6/10 · 30 August 2018]

'The Heist (2013)' is a straight-to-video comedy caper strangely marketed, mainly through a terribly photoshopped front cover, as a gritty thriller, one that has two similar but distinct titles not clearly separated by territory and has had a limited international release spread across a number of years, to the point that it's actual release date is difficult to nail down. Despite all this, it also happens to be a relatively decent affair, one that passes the time with its pleasantly entertaining plot and pretty good central performances (William H. Macey stands out as the best). There are a bevy of strange choices, including plot points that don't really connect together all too well and some character motivations - and actions - that are downright bizarre, but there are a couple of chuckles here and there and the whole thing goes by pretty much without a hitch. It's really not bad for a bargain-bin flick that doesn't know when it was released, what it wants to be marketed as or even what it's called. 6/10