HOW TO ROB A BANK

(directors: Stephen Robert Morse, Seth Porges; screenwriters: Maxim Gertler-Jaffe, Stephen Robert Morse, Max Peltz; cinematographers: Domenic Barbero, Jacob Sacks Jones, Michael Wale; editor: Simon Barker, Marc Vives, Paulo Padilha; music: Leo Birenberg, Ramiro Rodriguez Zamarippa; cast: Jordan Burtchett (Scott Scurlock), Kurt Ostlund (Mark Biggins, robbery accomplice), Tristan McKinnnon (Steve Meyers, robbery accomplice), Chezca Vega (Jaime), Scott Patey (Scott Levine, bank manager), Maia Michaels (Robin), Lesley Mirza (Scared Bank Teller), Ellen Glasser (Special Agent FBI), Shawn Johnson (Special Agent FBI), Mike Magan (Detective, Seattle Police Dept.); Runtime: 86; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Max Peltz, Maxim Gertler-Jaffe, Stephen Robert Morse, Seth Porges; Netflix; 2024) 

“One of the better true story bank robbery films.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

A well-done re-enactment documentary co-directed by Stephen Robert Morse (“EuroTrump”/”In The Cold Dark Night”) and Seth Porges (“Class Action Park”). It tells the true story of Scott Scurlock, the most prolific bank robber in the 1990s, who between 1992-1996 stole $2 million from the banks in Seattle. He went by the nickname “Hollywood” because his favorite film was “Point Break” (1991), which inspired him to become a bank robber whereby he used the same methods as the bank robber in the film, Patrick Swayze. Scott was the man in a ball cap, wig, sunglasses, mustache and layers of facial putty when flashing a gun in the bank and leaving with a duffle bag filled with money.
 
The movie chronicles Scott’s life from his crime beginnings to his downfall.

In its re-enactment Scott is played by Jordan Burtchett, his crime partners are played by Mark Biggins as Kurt Ostlund and Steve Meyers as Tristan McKinnnon, while the safe vault teller is  Jaime is played by Chezca Vega. Steve Meyers and Mark Biggins appear in person as talking heads.

Scott confused the Feds by following the Hollywood script of Point Break. But after initial success his luck ran out when he outsmarted himself and went for a robbery that was too big for him.

It makes for a curious watch as one of the better true story bank robbery films.

REVIEWED ON 8/11/2024  GRADE: B
dennisschwartzreviews.com