Crime 101

by Mike McGranaghan

In my mind, Crime 101 stands alongside Michael Mann’s Heat and William Friedkin’s To Live and Die in L.A. as one of the great cinematic crime dramas. The film, directed by Bart Layton, is based on a Don Winslow novel, and it provides the same satisfaction you get after devouring a dense, well-written book.

Chris Hemsworth stars as Mike, a jewel thief who chooses targets along U.S. Route 101 in California, as it allows for a quick getaway. His thefts are non-violent and carried out with utmost precision. The movie follows Mike, along with other people who enter his orbit in one way or another: the cop (Mark Ruffalo) trying to track him down; the disgruntled insurance broker (Halle Berry) he tries to pull into one of his heists; the hotheaded young biker (Barry Keoghan) hired by a longtime fence (Nick Nolte) to sabotage him; and the woman (Monica Barbaro) he begins a relationship with. Their paths cross in unpredictable ways as the story unfolds.

One of the things that separates Crime 101 from the pack - and puts it in the esteemed company of the classics mentioned above - is that it has a seductive atmosphere. The camerawork, lighting choices, and frame composition make the seedy sides of Los Angeles feel suitably edgy and the richest parts feel luxurious. A pulsing musical score from Blanck Mass adds to the effect. Cumulatively, these qualities bring the city alive onscreen, creating the impression that you’re wandering its streets right along with the characters. In a similar vein, there are two chase scenes here, both executed with such gritty style that you practically start looking for a seat belt.

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Layton’s adaptation of the novel takes time to pay attention to the lives of its players in a way few crime thrillers do. Mike’s motivation for choosing a life of crime is gradually revealed. It goes way beyond mere greed. The cop’s separation from his wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh in a dynamite cameo) aids in understanding why cracking the case is so important to him. There’s a whole arc about the broker facing sexism at her firm, and Mike’s girlfriend struggles with his refusal to reveal much of himself to her. In fact, he is also pained by an inability to open up to the woman he’s falling for. The characters are richer and fuller precisely because they have discernible lives outside the formal plot.

With a cast like this, you anticipate good performances. The actors do not disappoint. Hemsworth avoids being a “cool” thief in favor of portraying Mike as a man driven by personal demons. This is some of his best work to date. Berry gets one of the strongest roles she’s had in years. A scene where she confronts her boss creates the kind of moment where you want to stand up and cheer. Ruffalo gets us to empathize with the sad sack cop, while Keogan and Nolte are convincingly threatening villains.

Crime 101 ticks all the boxes. It’s intelligent and carefully plotted. The acting is first-rate. It has constant suspense, and the action sequences are exciting. Layton’s writing is smart, especially during a tense scene where Mike and the cop end up in the same vehicle. His direction is stylish, but it uses that style to underline the story’s ideas. Because of all these factors, the movie is a superior piece of grown-up entertainment.

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