SOURCE: Wrathall, John. Review of Heist, by David Mamet. Sight and Sound 11, no. 12 (December 2001): 53.

In the following excerpt, Wrathall comments on what he considers Mamet's directorial shortcomings, specifically in Heist.

Boston, the present. Joe Moore and his gang—girlfriend Fran, Bobby Blane and Don Pincus—carry out a brilliant jewel heist [in Heist]. But Moore's face is caught on surveillance camera. He decides to retire. His fence Bergman, however, refuses to give him his cut unless he carries out “the Swiss job,” which Bergman has already invested money in setting up.

Needing money to fund his retirement, Moore reluctantly agrees to Bergman's terms, which include Bergman's nephew Jimmy Silk coming along on the job to ensure Moore doesn't run off with the proceeds. Moore tries to bluff Silk into believing the job is too risky, but Silk proves hard to get rid of because he is attracted to...