A heist film featuring the ever-charismatic Charlize Theron is set to depart from Netflix on August 31st. If you haven’t watched the adrenaline-pumping The Italian Job, you can grab your popcorn and settle in for a thrilling ride now.
Released in 2003 and starring Mark Wahlberg, Theron, Edward Norton, Jason Statham, Seth Green, Mos Def, and Donald Sutherland, The Italian Job is a remake of the classic 1969 film of the same name. While the original movie is a beloved cult classic, the remake takes the essence of the story and infuses it with a more contemporary spin.
The film’s plot centres around a team of skilled thieves determined to pull off the ultimate heist. Led by Charlie Croker, played by Wahlberg, the team embarks on an ambitious mission to steal a fortune in gold bars from a former ally turned traitor. Theron’s character, Stella Bridger, brings her expertise in safecracking to the table, and with a personal vendetta against the traitorous Steve (Norton).
Beyond the performances, which got praise even from critics who were less than impressed with the storyline of this remake, The Italian Job is a visual treat that takes viewers on a whirlwind tour of some of the most iconic locations in Los Angeles, Venice, the Italian Alps, and other parts of the world. The action sequences, especially the memorable Mini Cooper chase through the streets of Los Angeles, are high points if that floats your boat. The film’s director, F. Gary Gray, balances heart-stopping action with moments of camaraderie and humour.
Speaking to ET Canada, Theron talked about the sexism she faced while shooting the film and how it motivated her to outdo all the guys in the action sequences. “I was the only woman with a bunch of guys, and I remember vividly getting the schedule in our pre-production, and they had scheduled me for six weeks more car training than any of the guys,” Theron remembered in the interview, “And it was just so insulting.”
However, Charlize Theron added, “But it was also the thing that put a real fire under my ass. I was like, ‘Alright, you guys wanna play this game, let’s go.’ And I made it a point to outdrive all of those guys.” Theron got her revenge too, “I vividly remember Mark Wahlberg halfway through one of our training sessions, pulling over and throwing up because he was so nauseous from doing 360s.”
You can watch The Italian Job on Netflix before it leaves on August 31st, 2023.
