Where I Watched it: Paramount Plus

English Audio Description?: Yes

Courtney B Vance, who never seems to get to top line anything, stars in this Showtime original movie inspired by a real bank heist that involved no storming the vault with guns. They just did this at a time long before computer programs and algorithms ran everything, and hijacked some bank transfers. it’s designed to be sleek like Ocean’s Eleven, and perhaps under different circumstances, it might have been. But, there are choices made that keep heist 88 from being an underrated gem.

We learn a bit too much up front, which ends up answering too many questions as the film slowly uncovers the plot. Because of how the film opens and then flashes back, we have an idea of how this all ends. On top of that, by knowing the history of Vance’s character, the idea that he walks a morally gray line is a bit less nebulous. I think the worst part about the film is it has one of the most abrupt endings I’ve ever seen for a film.It almost feels like they shot the film in sequential order, and ran out of money. Just when it feels like we will get closure, we get credits. And because this is a Showtime film, they are comically short.

The audio description on this wasn’t bad, considering this is a film headed straight for Showtime. It’s also not a bad film, but it does feel like something that wouldn’t have succeeded in theatres with this cast, and this director. Heist 88 mostly takes what could be a promising concept and makes a fairly simple film out of it that is moderately engaging, but really should be celebrated for giving one of the most underrated actors working a chance to star in a film where he is the biggest name and central character. Courtney B. Vance doesn’t get enough love. Maybe he does from Angela Bassett, but certainly not from casting directors.

Episode Grade: B-