Hayden Christensen resurfaces from post LucasFilm purgatory as rejuvenated criminal James in this New Orleans set crime tale of redemption and family conflict. After settling into a regular life following his brother Frankie’s incarceration, James struggles with readjustment when the sycophantic Frankie (Adrian Brody) is released from prison. James is then emotionally blackmailed and cajoled back into a life of wrong-doing with Frankie and two of his underworld associates (hip hop artists Akon) and the foursome plan a bank robbery.
Director Sarik Andreasyan’s remake of a 1959 Steve McQueen film (The Great St Louis Train Robbery) could have also been a gallant homage to 90s gangster flicks but is strewn with subgenre clichés that cripple the drama. Characters, action and dialogue are laced with model traits but Hayden delivers a strong lead performance, revealing surprising range as the troubled thief torn between loyalty to his family and doing what he believes his right. Brody is also decent as the bling-ridden bad egg but doesn’t quite look the part. His double-hard gangster, gurning and stammering through drink rampages, bopping to hip-hop and dropping F bombs is well conjured but ill-suited to Brody who looked similarly out of place in Nimrod Antal’s Predators as a tough guy marine.
This self-produced venture from Christensen lacks originality but the plot flows well through the chestnut devices. Minor conflicts arise as supporting gang members pressure James into assisting with the heist while the story’s main focus on the relationship between Frankie and James is trite but well executed. The two bond convincingly in a drunken bar room scene, despite the dry dialogue, blurting out regrets then butting heads and apologising straight after (the way burly brothers do in the hood).
Ultimately it is the acting that hold American Heist together along with a strong support from Jordana Brewster. The makeshift production lessens the impact of the drama at the story’s core but it is Christensen, Brody and Brewster who rescue the film from total atrocity. Hats off to Hayden for shaking the Skywalker shackles in a role that is diverse (for him) but in a film that is far too by the numbers to be worthwhile for anyone else. While American Heist proves that Hayden Christensen could still go on to greater things, the right opportunities will still need to arise.
