by Karyn L. Beach

Who knew Princess Margaret was such a little freak! The Bank Job is based on the true story of a group of small-time petty criminals who agree to rob the safe deposit vaults at a bank - what they don't know is that they are really there to recover some photos of the princess in a three-way. Like I said, "Who knew?"

Former model Martine Love (Saffron Burrows) gets into a bit of trouble on a trip back from Morocco when security finds some illegal substances in her carry-on. Her married boyfriend, Tim Everett (Richard Lintern), who also works for MI-5 (the British equivalent of the CIA), comes up with a proposition. It seems that black activist Michael X (Peter De Jersey) has some compromising photos of Princess Margaret and they want to get them back discreetly (discretion is the British way). If she can arrange the robbery of the vault where the safe deposit boxes are stored and secure the photos whatever else they get is theirs. Martine calls together an old lover, Terry Leather (Jason Statham) and some of their old friends. While the crew has never undertaken a job of this magnitude, the boys are game. However, things get more complicated when they run into some other incriminating photos during the course of the robbery - photos showing various members of the government in some very compromising positions with call girls. In way over their heads, Terry and the gang have to outmaneuver MI-5, local thugs, corrupt cops and good cops.

The Bank Job, like the story that inspired it, is based in the 70's, which is a good time for a heist story. Had it been set in the present time, it would have to be filled with cell phones, GPS units, a couple of laptops and always, some funky kind of laser lights. This is a good, old-fashioned low-tech heist where you can focus more on the heist and the story than the gadgets.

There are a lot of players, each with their own interests and agendas. It wasn't really difficult to follow, as long as you are paying attention .Over all, The Bank Job did a pretty good job of keeping the pace going. The guys in Terry's crew were a likable lot and you really want to see them get away with it.