Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Ving Rhames, George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez
‘A Captivating Crime Classic’
Not many filmmakers in Hollywood have made movies that have achieved the recognition of Steven Soderbergh. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Soderbergh has created several memorable films. Arguably, Soderbergh’s best strength as a director has often been his style. He is one of those filmmakers that has always had a unique style of making movies which are visually appealing. With their compelling story, strong acting and bold themes, Soderbergh’s movies have achieved a massive fan following. Soderbergh has never been afraid of taking a risk in his career tackling controversial topics which are painful. Through his willingness to take risks in his career, Soderbergh has proven to be a filmmaker audiences value. Despite his age of retirement, Soderbergh has never lost his passion for making powerful entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Soderbergh has made several memorable movies that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Soderbergh and adore the movies he has made in his career. However, “Out of Sight” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 1998, Steven Soderbergh’s movie has stood the test of time as a beloved crime classic. Packed with strong production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best crime movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Ving Rhames, who embodies a bank robber facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Out of Sight” a crime classic is bold appeal. Unlike most films about bank robbers, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message on teamwork that would resonate with everyone. A captivating crime classic, there are several strong reasons why “Out of Sight” is a movie worth watching.
Based on the beloved book, “Out of Sight” tells the story of a bank robber committing crimes which are out of sight. George Clooney plays Jack Foley, a smooth criminal that has always had an aptitude for pulling off heists. Foley has often gotten away with committing robberies of banks without any price to pay. Assisted by partner in crime Buddy Bragg (Ving Rhames), Foley seeks to commit bank robberies which are conflicted. However, Foley’s life changes when he falls in love in a relationship causing disaster. Foley’s hopes of becoming a criminal that’s successful are threatened when he falls in love with Karen (Jennifer Lopez). Karen is a federal marshal that has often had a skill for catching criminals. Despite being on the polar opposite sides of the law, Karen and Foley fall in love in a relationship evoking awe. Faced with a dilemma, Foley begins to question of its possible for him to become a commemorated criminal enduring trauma.
Steven Soderbergh is fascinated with the lives of criminals. A great filmmaker, Soderbergh has often made engaging movies about lives of criminals in danger. His iconic film “Ocean’s Eleven” captured the lives of thieves robbing Las Vegas casinos causing tragedy. With “Out of Sight”, however, he took on his first literary adaptation. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to adapt a classic book about bank robbers that face tragedy, but he succeeds tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Soderbergh captures the lives of bank robbers enduring tragedy. Soderbergh expertly uses montages capturing tense lives of bank robbers which commit robbery. For instance, the montages elevate the bank heist scene. During this tense scene, Jack engages in a tense robbery of a bank causing tragedies. Through montages, Soderbergh captures hardships that thieves are facing. Montages are tricky techniques to employ in movies. As Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants” suggested, montages enhance family dramas. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Soderbergh captures tension commemorated bank robbers on missions are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Out of Sight” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Soderbergh has often excelled at using costumes to showcase personalities of characters, and “Out of Sight” demonstrated his strengths as a filmmaker. Throughout the movie, Soderbergh uses costumes to capture tensions faced by bank robbers. For instance, costumes elevate the meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Jack and Foley meet for the first time forming a strong bond with one another. Through captivating costumes, Soderbergh creates criminal characters that audiences can easily relate to. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. David Holmes’ music is key towards success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing. burden spies bear. Using stunning production design, Soderbergh captures the lives of spies facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “Out of Sight” is a crime movie which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses sequences of silence to capture bonds among bank robbers on a dangerous mission. Throughout the movie, Soderbergh effectively uses silence to capture the strong bonds of a pair of bank robbers. For instance, silence is suited towards the farewell scene. During this heartfelt scene, Jack bids emotional farewell towards Karen having breakups which cause tensions. Using silence, Soderbergh captures the lives of bank robbers facing a disturbance. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As George Clooney’s “The Ides of March” did demonstrate clearly, silence elevates political dramas. Jason Reitman’s “Up in the Air” did suggest clearly, silence enhances films about business decisions. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using strong visuals, Soderbergh captures painful tensions which bank robbers are facing.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Ving Rhames delivers one of his finest career performances as Buddy. Rhames first earned recognition for playing hot-headed gangsters in crime dramas. With “Out of Sight”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a bank robber that participates in a life of crime causing tragedy but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Rhames has often excelled at playing emotional heroes under frightening pressure, and “Out of Sight” showcased his greatest strengths as an actor. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, grief and selfish nature of a commemorated robber engaging in criminal behaviour. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actors working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Ving Rhames, the supporting cast is also worthy of praise. George Clooney is powerful, capturing the authority of a bank robber that commits robberies causing tragedy. Jennifer Lopez is fantastic, bringing sexual tension to the movie as a skilled bank robber engaging in a doomed love affair causing disaster. Lastly, Don Cheadle merits appreciation. As a clever gangster, he brings palpable air of tension to the film.
Finally, “Out of Sight” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing bank robbers whose struggles are hidden in plain sight. Unlike most movies about bank robberies, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, marriage and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Out of Sight” is one of those rare crime dramas everyone will definitely without a doubt adore.
Fans of Steven Soderbergh would appreciate “Out of Sight” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating crime classic, it honours a legendary filmmaker that has created a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about bright bank robbers committing robberies that are hidden out of sight, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated filmmaker that has built a lasting legacy earning a massive fan following for his abilities to manufacture memorable movies which definitely deserve spotlight.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 