THE PLOT THUS FAR

Their plan wasn't exactly a work of art. It was a stroke of genius. But now the perfect crime is turning into a perfect disaster in this madcap comedy featuring Academy Award winners Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, Marcia Gay Harden and Academy Award nominee William H. Macy. Charles, Roger and George are the very picture of honest security guards. But when they learn their favorite artworks are being sent to another museum, they concoct a plan to switch the real masterpieces with fakes. All goes well until a mistake forces these first-time thieves into a last-minute escapade in the comedy caper that proves you're never too old to have some new fun.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

The Maiden Heist tells the story of three security guards who work at the same art gallery, all retired, all with their own love for a particular piece on display. Roger, played by Christopher Walken, loves a painting called The Maiden, Charles, played by Morgan Freeman, is besotted by another painting and George, played by William H. Macy is more than in love with a sculpture. The three retirees don't have that much of a life, and what they do have is filled with their love of their respective pieces of art. Roger's wife is desperate for them to leave to Miami, somewhere hot to retire too, but he just can't give up his daily security guard work which brings him close to his beloved painting.

Then one day they hear that the whole gallery is to be reworked and the exhibits changed for more modern and attractive displays and they discover that their pieces have been sold to a gallery in Copenhagen. They are all distraught, and the love for The Maiden brings Roger to hatch a plan, a plan to steal their works of art so that they can save them from being sent to Copenhagen and see them whenever they want.

The development of the characters and their stories in the beginning of the film is carried from the script to screen well. Watching Walken and Freeman was a delight, and seeing Marcia Gay Harden and Walken together with Walken taking the hen pecked role provided some excellently ironic and funny moments. She played his rather dominating wife, and as a couple they gelled well with Harden taking the lead and pushing him into decisions he didn't really want to take.

The DVD comes a commentary from the director, writer and producer. Plus, there's a featurette about the art-centric approach to the production. If that's not enough, you also get a blooper reel and some deleted scenes. It's weird to recommend these movies, because they're the kind of indie that almost seems to be purposefully small. Not a lot of people can get into that as a first choice film, but it's perfect for a casual rental.

RELEASE DATE: 11/24/09