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Lift - Film Review |
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Lift produced by and starring Kevin Hart and his HartBeat Productions, 6th
& Idaho and Genre Pictures, was released on Netflix January 12 (2024)
and if ever there was a film that deserves a sequel this is the one. Yes,
it is a heist film, but from an airplane in mid-flight. Impossible. Well
to borrow a line from the movie, “No, it’s just never been done before.”
This is not a film when you are waiting for the thieves to be caught.
This is the ultimate anti-hero movie, and you are cheering for the art
thieves. Kevin Hart’s character Cyrus offers up lines crafted by
screenwriter Daniel Kunka, “We rescue art from undeserving owners,” and
“I would never lift anything from anyone who doesn’t deserve to lose
it.”
This cast just etched their names in infamy. As already mentioned, Kevin
Hart as Cyrus, the suave straight man and boss, oh and before we go any
further, there is not a bad looking member of his team of art thieves,
woman or man. British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays Interpol agent Abby
Gladwell and the onscreen chemistry between her and Kevin Hart is not
only believable, but has some subtle comedic elements to it, but make no
mistake, this is an action film not a comedy film.
What makes this film work so well is it is an ensemble acting
performance, featuring Spanish actress Úrsula Corberó making her English
language film debut. She is an icon in her home, Spain, and she shines
as art thief who drives boats and flies planes and while doing so
manages to look elegant. Vincent D’Onofrio, plays the master of disguise
and serves up a wonderful performance. Korean – American actress Yun Jee
Kim as the hacker of the gang is superb. Rounding out the band of
thieves is Billy Magnussen as Magnus the safecracker, and Viveik Kalra
plays Luke a technical wizard. Director F. Gary Gray managed to turn the
loveable actor Reno into a sinister villain, and we hated Huxley played
by Sam Worthington from the beginning. He oozes sleaze.
It goes without saying, that stealing a half billion dollars in gold
from an airplane mid-flight involves a lot of suspension of disbelief,
but that is part of what makes this film so much fun.
This is a fun movie, with a cast that onscreen appears tight and in
their interviews since the film’s release have all been vocal of the
same. Kevin Hart has not personally taken credit for the film’s success
but has shared the spotlight with his cast.
There is a moment in the film, when Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s character Abby
talks about her mother who, when Abby was a child was a mistress of a
poor school and how an artist had donated a print to that school that
her mother refused to sell. Abby recalls her mother, “wanting the
students to know that they were just as important as any swanky art
gallery.” That is not a knock on art galleries, it is about building
self-esteem and a sense of worth among children, who maybe don’t have
some of the things the rest of us take for granted.
Having seen Úrsula Corberó in numerous Spanish series and films, we are
pleased that now English-speaking audiences get to witness this
outstanding actress. She has been a favorite of Riveting Riffs Magazine
for a very long time.
Photo courtesy of Netflix. Protected by copyright ©
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