No Ordinary Heist doesn’t just tell a true story, it traps you inside it and refuses to let go.
by Nav Qateel
Set in Belfast City, Ireland, over a couple of insane days in December 2004, No Ordinary Heist is inspired by the true story of a daring robbery that netted a gang £27 million, making it one of the biggest in the country’s history. The gang kidnaps the family members of two senior employees of a major bank in Ireland and forces the men to sneak out vast sums of cash right under the noses of the bank’s security guards.
If you’ve seen any of the top thrillers from South Korea, like Memories of Murder or I Saw the Devil, where tension is carefully built and relentlessly maintained throughout the runtime, then you’ll get a flavor of what co-writer and director Colin McIvor has delivered with this wonderfully executed movie.
The casting of the two main protagonists, Eddie Marsan as bank manager Richard Murray, and Éanna Hardwicke as underling Barry “Baz” McKenna, was key, as the pair worked well together playing two men who dislike each other but are forced to get along for the sake of their families.
Read INFLUX’s Interview with Actor Éanna Hardwicke
Marsan’s character is already having issues with his wife due to the fact that he is never there for her, and thanks to his acting chops, you can feel the fear coming through the screen as the pressure intensifies once she is also taken hostage. Hardwicke also delivers a solid performance and holds his own when sharing the screen with Marsan. Both actors deliver the goods.
Gang leader and antagonist Gravel, convincingly played by Patrick O’Kane, is a delight to watch, giving a chilling turn as the main villain. He makes you believe that any slip-up by Baz or Richard would indeed result in the death of their family members, his performance is that effective.
Michelle Fairley, who many will recognize from Game of Thrones, plays head of security Mags Fulton, and while she doesn’t have a great deal to do, she still shines by saying much with very little.
No Ordinary Heist is beautifully filmed and includes some wonderful overhead camera shots of cars in alleyways that help intensify the drama. Everything about the film maintains tension and pushes the narrative forward, including giving even minor characters some depth, thanks to solid writing by Aisling Corristine and McIvor.
The women in this film are far from one-dimensional in films as well. With the likes of Baz’s mother Tracey, played by Aislin McGuckin, dealing with asthma, and Richard’s wife Celine, played by Eva Birthistle, navigating marital issues, making everyone feel like a real person rather than just a spouse or mother.
No Ordinary Heist is a film that I genuinely couldn’t take my eyes off for fear of missing even a single moment, it is that gripping. It’s rare for a film these days to have that sort of effect, yet McIvor achieves that and more by crafting a film that feels destined to stand the test of time. An absolute must-see.
Nav’s Score: 10/10
