The Italian Job (2003)
Directed by F. Gary Gray
Written by Donna Powers & Wayne Powers

I enjoyed The Italian Job despite myself. And I'm not referring to the painful "Italian Job" I got in Rome, in which a 15 year-old street hustler rammed dry pasta up my a-hole.

Nope, I'm talking about a slick little action thriller involving yet another impossible movie heist, so confident in style and playful in tone that I couldn't help but smile through a good portion of it. A genuine smile, not my usual "mustn't stop smiling or I won't stop crying" smile.

I won't bother with plot details or acting whatnot. There's a boat chase in Venice, and a really cool chase involving Mini Coopers buzzing through the Los Angeles Metro. Donald Sutherland in a satisfying cameo. And a surprisingly cool score.

Yeah, there's always boring old classics to watch (like the original Italian Job, which I have of course never seen). Or you could just give in and do what you know you must: grab a box of dry pasta and get two "Italian Jobs" at the same time. Take it from me—hang on to your DVD remote, and keep your phone and insurance card handy.

Review by Crimedog