Director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean's Eleven) debuted his new heist film, No Sudden Move, exclusively on HBO MAX on July 1.
Set in 1950s Detroit, the film tells the story of Curt and Ronald (Don Cheadle and Benicio del Toro). They're recruited to hold an automotive executive's (David Harbour) family hostage while he retrieves a top-secret document from his boss' safe.
It wouldn't be a crime movie if everything went according to plan, and things of course go seriously wrong here. And as in all heist movies, it's no fun spoiling the plot's twists and turns. But Curt and Ronald's paths cross with a cop (Jon Hamm), a mobster and his wife (Ray Liotta and Julia Fox), another mobster (Bill Duke), and a cold-blooded businessman (a big star in an uncredited role).
While there are plenty of reversals and betrayals, the script by Ed Solomon keeps things coherent for those who actually pay attention (don't multitask while watching this at home). The twists make sense in the context of the story and aren't just piled on for shock value. The ensemble all does good work, especially Cheadle as the laconic lead.
No Sudden Move may not linger in the memory as long as Soderbergh's best works, but it's a fun two-hour ride.
*** stars (out of four)
