The Mastermind review: “Don’t let anyone con you into skipping this one”

The Mastermind begins with against the law in movement. James Mooney (Josh O’Connor) is casing out his native artwork gallery in 70s Massachusetts, painstakingly checking the objects of his need with one other eye on the sleeping guard close by. 

A lustrous jazz rating ascends and weaves all through as James palms a figurine with little effort, regardless of the presence of different gallery attendees close by. Besides, it seems that these different individuals are really his spouse and two youngsters, seemingly unaware of what’s transpired. 

Escaping together with his household and freedom nonetheless intact, James forges forward together with his plan to steal 4 work by the Modernist American artist Arthur Dove. Two powerful guys and a getaway driver are enlisted, however a last-minute drawback throws James within the deep finish, forcing him to attend within the automotive himself whereas his henchmen perform the heist inside.  

The theft doesn’t fairly go to plan when the 2 males are caught red-handed, not by safety, however by a younger woman who spots the suspicious trying nylon stockings they’re sporting over their heads from a mile off. Additional problems threaten to derail the heist fully, however one way or the other, they get away with it nonetheless. And that’s simply the primary act.

Sounds thrilling, proper? Truly, it’s not, however that’s the entire level. 

As intriguing because the heist is, shot fastidiously by director Kelly Reichardt, it’s the aftermath of this crime that she’s much more concerned about. In that sense, The Mastermind is a heist film that’s virtually unrecognisable as such. If something, it’s extra of an “anti-heist” movie, as Selection put it so brilliantly, deconstructing this style like Reichardt has completed with so many others in earlier movies reminiscent of Meek’s Cutoff and Night time Strikes.

It’s virtually humorous simply fairly how inept James seems to be, not simply within the early phases of planning however additional and additional down the road as his life unravels within the days that observe the crime. It’s right here that the rhythms of the style are deserted fully, remodeling The Mastermind into a personality research of an individual who’s something however. 

Shot with muted earthy tones, Reichardt’s newest strikes alongside at an unhurried tempo, step by step remodeling just like the autumnal hues in every tree that strains James’s suburban neighbourhood, the one which he’s pressured to go away behind. In case you’re not sporting a snug jumper whereas watching this movie, you’re doing it unsuitable.

Every thing in The Mastermind is distinctly regular, and Reichardt revels within the mundanity of that. From the classic automotive boot deal with opened to stash these work to the rumpled sweater/underwear combo James wears as he waves his household off to high school, this appears like a misplaced 70s movie akin to The Holdovers that was launched earlier this 12 months. 

There’s humour to be discovered within the banal too, most notably when James struggles to stash the work away in a distant hayloft whereas a pig snorts and snuffles within the background. He’d be pitiful if not for the truth that he introduced a lot of this on himself, typically on the expense of his family. “Every thing I’ve completed is for you and the youngsters,” James claims to his spouse earlier than including: “And me.”

There may be some appeal to him, which could clarify how James bought away with convincing folks to facet with him for so long as he has. Josh O’Connor nails that restricted hangdog appeal, even when his outsized ambitions are painfully out of attain, matched solely by the absurd quantity of perception he retains in himself. It’s in his puppy-dog eyes which look to others for assist, and it’s within the wry smile that varieties when he thinks he’s really getting away with it.  

Alana Haim’s spouse Terri is stoic in her resistance to James’ foolery, saying rather a lot along with her eyes too (particularly when the script fails to offer her as a lot to do as she deserves). Different standouts embody James’ previous buddy Fred (First Cow’s John Magaro) who’s thrilled to listen to what his buddy has been as much as and Fred’s spouse Maude (Gaby Hoffmann) who’s something however thrilled when James out of the blue reveals up at their door.

With every cease James makes on this more and more downbeat street journey via the midwest, the broader context of what it means to dwell in Nixon’s America begins to seep in till actuality turns into not possible to disregard. This all builds to a cosmically merciless but simply finish that arrives simply because it feels just like the script has begun spinning its wheels a bit an excessive amount of, ending the movie on a darkly satisfying be aware. 

Nevertheless, it’s not till you’ve sat with the story for some time that its true affect will be felt. Like a lot of Reichardt’s work, the intimate scale of her first solo writing credit score takes time to settle, even when it’s apparent early on who the true mastermind is in all this.   

Do you have to watch The Mastermind?

In case you’re anticipating a heist with all of the thrills and grandeur of one thing like Ocean’s 11, then The Mastermind just isn’t for you. That’s, until you’re concerned about a special spin on the style, one which flips all of the Hollywood gloss into a much more intimate endeavour.

Both method, don’t let anybody con you into skipping this one, particularly in cinemas. Seize a knitted jumper, a latte of the pumpkin spice selection, and sink into a snug seat for a slow-burning autumnal deal with that options considered one of Josh O’Connor’s finest performances thus far. 

The Mastermind is airing on the London Movie Pageant now, and releases in cinemas on 17 October 2025 within the US, and on 24 October 2025 within the UK. American readers should purchase tickets from AMC Theatres, Fandango and Atom Tickets. These within the UK can get them from Picturehouse and Curzon.

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