Crime 101 is the latest from writer/director Bart Layton, the visionary filmmaker behind The Imposter and American Animals. Moving away from documentaries, the film is Layton’s first foray into full-on narrative filmmaking and pays tribute to the crime classics of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s.
“I saw the potential for the kind of movie that I would want to go and see in the cinema; that I kind of grew up in love with,” the director remarks, “and probably made me think about making movies in the first place. And maybe that we’re not getting a whole lot of in cinemas these days.” Layton certainly achieves this, as I mention in my review, combining an old-school crime thriller narrative with his signature style to create a thrilling, entertaining film that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 weaves the tale of an elusive jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose string of heists along the 101 freeway has mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime, his path crosses that of a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads. Convinced he has found a pattern, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) is closing in, raising the stakes even higher. As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realization that there can be no turning back.
Adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella of the same name, the film is written and directed by Bart Layton. Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte round out the cast.
I recently sat down with the film’s writer/director to discuss the origins of the film, the humanization of criminals, the challenges with narrative vs documentary filmmaking, re-teaming with actor Barry Keoghan (Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin) and cinematographer Erik Wilson (Paddington, Better Man), and offers two picks for a possible Crime 101 double feature movie night.
Crime 101 is available in theatres & IMAX now.
