the audience applauded

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

At least I had Star Wars ... or The Pianist. Depending which actor might have thoughts about his career, the answers are there. Hayden hit the Jackpot (I hope for him) with the Star Wars franchise and Adrien Brody had his critical success with Polanski. The latter seems to be doing a neat movie from time to time, though he also seems to be doing some very bad ones too.This isn't a really bad one, though you wonder about the characters and how Mr. Brody came to play a character like this. I guess it had to do with the family business in the script and a scene where he can "shine" if you want to call it that. It's really rather annoying not to mention predictable.

The plot is ridiculous, characters boring. I was expecting a good heist, but no, they had to talk about a toothpaste and the heist lasted for a mere crappy 15 minutes. Very strong indeed.Story-1/10 Every story is a good one. This movie has no story, thus the 1. It said American Heist, I was expecting a movie with the characters carrying out successful heists, even if just one and failing at the end. However, this is not the case. What is a heist movie with a just a fleeting moment of a heist that was so crappy my granny could've carried it out better? American Heist.Soundtrack - 2/10 Nothing noticeable.Character development - 1/10 I must say, the characters were so bland and boring. None of them were captivating at all. The retarded brother was the worst of them all.

This movie was a let down, and had huge potential. The combination of Hayden and Jordana Brewster's romance could have been something memorable, and Adrien Brody's performance was outstanding. The bond between Adrien and Hayden's character was there, but wasn't executed properly due to the lack of a powerful story. The story and direction of the movie is what drove this movie into the ground. There's barely any motivation for the characters, and recurring cliché and predictable moments. There are a few moments were it is "supposed" to be comical, but due to the lacking nature of the third act, nothing is really funny. However, I'd love to see Hayden, Adrien and Jordana in another film together.

Action? Solid, but nothing special. Heist element? Lacking, but enough for fans of non-elaborate larceny. Neither of those things, however, take center stage for long. The movie wants so desperately to focus on the emotional aspect of the story...on the relationships. The problem is, it introduces these connections and backstories one after another without REALLY giving any depth to a single one. Moments that, if developed properly, could be sincere and truly emotional are rather just "out of left field" scenes that just waste screen time with a story that doesn't make a lot of sense. On a more technical note, it almost gives the feeling that the cinematographer got switched out halfway through the movie. The beginning is filled with erratic zooms and cuts, standard cheap action movie stuff, while the mid-to ending is much more characteristic of...well...a GOOD, professional movie.The drama is definitely the focus of the movie, but even some halfway-decent action and a plot twist or two along the way couldn't save this movie from it's nonsensical emotional story, with some awkward dialogue to boot.