After escaping a United States’ prison, career bank robber Robert Whiteman (Josh Duhamel) heads to Canada to escape the authorities. Something unexpected happens upon arrival to the place he will soon call home, he meets a beautiful woman, Andrea (Elisha Cuthbert), and he falls in love. With plans for a family firmly in his sights, Gilbert turns back to a life of crime–becoming one of the most prolific bank robbers in Canadian history. Based on the true story of The Flying Bandit, Bandit is full of hilarious twists and turns that are sure to entertain.
Duhamel and Cuthbert have both solidified themselves in Hollywood, and it’s been made abundantly clear that they possess talent enough to take on any role. Cuthbert, as usual, does a spectacular job–never missing a beat along the way. Duhamel finds himself in a role that I have not yet seen him in. He plays the sort of badass, mildly tough, superiorly intelligent, and oddly comedic bank robber. Whiteman is a dynamic character that manages to incorporate a series of personality traits that might conflict with one another. Obviously this character is based on a real person, but the way in which the character is written permits Duhamel to bring him to life in an effortless fashion. Whiteman’s many characteristics blend together beautifully, and Duhamel is given the opportunity to shine as brightly as possible, and he does. Bandit sees him bring his A-game, perfectly delivering his every line and brilliantly bringing Whiteman to life.
In some ways there’s a story within a story present in Bandit. The surface-level story is that of Whiteman and his journey through family life and crime. That story is fun and enticing, and it is certainly enough to entertain viewers throughout. However, beneath the surface there is a story that sort of leads viewers through the ridiculousness of Whiteman’s real-life criminal blunders. The hilarity of the things that occurred throughout his career (if you can really call it that) is a narrative of its own, and viewers are sure to laugh, over and over, as a result of these absurdities. The layered narratives create something unique and entertaining, and Bandit shines throughout as a result of this brilliant decision.
The soundtrack plays a pivotal role throughout Bandit, and it’s often the catalyst for the many fast-paced sequences used to depict Whiteman’s journey. Karma Chameleon by Boy George and Raise a Little Hell by Trooper play at the most opportune moments, and they drive the more enticing pieces of the film forward. The soundtrack never relents, and it gives viewers no choice but to appreciate all that occurs throughout the film.
Director Allan Ungar does a wonderful job of creating unique avenues for Bandit to travel down–and he develops the film in a way that makes viewers want to travel down those avenues as well. Bandit is a fun telling of the fifty-nine bank robberies committed by The Flying Bandit, and viewers instantly become invested in what is occurring on screen. Cuthbert and Duhamel’s prowess makes the film even more entertaining; and the brilliant choices regarding the writing and the soundtrack simply add to the film’s appeal. From beginning to end Bandit is entertaining, and the choices made along the way help propel it toward success.
Directed by Allan Ungar.
Written by Robert Knuckle & Kraig Wenman.
Starring Josh Duhamel, Elisha Cuthbert, Nestor Carbonell, Mel Gibson, Olivia d’Abo, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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