Bank Bang

Sympathetic Greek comedy... There are a few stereotypes but you can watch it without any brain pain... Not bad!

As a Greek citizen, i am deeply disappointed with our cinema. The most of the movies we produce and send to the cinemas are garbage (Soyla Ela Xana), and our really good films stay unrecognized (Dogtooth). I am very happy that we produced Bank Bang. Its a film with the style of "Snatch", great actors , great screenplay and amazing direction. Its a comedy, based on the adventures of a working man whose brother is having problems with the maf. The whole movie is s very good piece of modern cinema and i have to say that i can easily watch it again. My congratulations, therefore, and let it be an example for the movies to come...

I gave this movie one of my highest marks ever. But is it because I am Greek and therefore biased towards this movie? I don't think so. In fact throughout the movie I kept thinking that if it wasn't illegal I would create English subtitles for it as I'm sure that very few people would be able to view and enjoy it abroad.

The movie is about a normal Joe (Mihalis in our case) who finds himself between a rock and a hard place, socially, professionally and emotionally. His positive attitude towards life doesn't really work in the relationship with his brother (Nondas) who is a wannabe master criminal.

Nondas' dealings force Michalis into crime (bank robberies) when at the same time Michalis desperately tries to have an affair with a covert policewoman assigned to bank robberies, with personal problems of her own.

The excellent plot, the unexpectedly clever dialogues, the good cinematography and the almost excellent casting and performing adds up to an excellent movie.

My only reservation is with Lena's role. Mrs. Triandafyllidou was borderline atrocious on a demanding part.

All in all this movie reminded me of Two Smoking Barrels. If you like non-Hollywood movies, give it a try. Then again... it's only Greek to me so... :-)