This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labour of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn't exist.
Heist films often take one of two routes: the fun and comical approach or the very dramatic path, where the stakes feel at an all-time high. Allan Ungar's Bandit most certainly falls in the “fun” category. But what makes this film different is that it tells the true story of Gilbert Galvan Jr. (played by Josh Duhamel), who escapes prison in the 1980s, travels to Canada, and assumes a new identity as Robert Whiteman before becoming one of Canada's most prolific bank robbers. Led by a solid cast, most notably Duhamel and the ever-consistent Mel Gibson, as well as a snappy script full of charm and some very enjoyable bank robberies, Bandit is a heist film that largely keeps you entertained for its almost 2-hour runtime.
Much like the book The Flying Bandit, which Bandit draws inspiration from, the film opens with the climactic bank robbery, which sees Whiteman in disguise effortlessly robbing a bank while authorities frantically search for the culprit. It's the perfect hook as we are not only thrust into the action but are introduced to our central character – seeing his heist trademarks (e.g., the fake nose) and his endearing characteristics, such as when he reassures the worried bank worker by saying: “Everything is going to be okay. I'm not going to hurt you.” In addition, the opening nicely sets the film's tone by inserting plenty of humorous moments that Duhamel superbly delivers.
Shortly after the initial bank robbery, Bandit travels back to the past, exploring Whiteman's journey from an American prison to a criminal mastermind. Everything from Whiteman's relationship with soon-to-be-wife Andrea (Elisha Cuthbert), the financial struggle of the times, and his eventual need to start robbing banks to support his growing family is flown through at a break-neck pace. Truthfully, the pace is not always conducive to telling a story that enables audiences to invest emotionally. However, despite the flaws, the one constant, and what Ungar seems to rely on to keep audiences engaged, is Duhamel's effortless charm and charisma.
The real-life Robert Whiteman was often described as a “great guy,” making the film's fun and light-hearted approach an appropriate one. This approach is spearheaded by Duhamel's performance, which beautifully balances playing an intelligent robber and a kind heart that audiences will root for, and this is accomplished largely through his ability to make us laugh in almost every situation. A perfect illustration is Whiteman's hilarious first attempt at robbing a bank, where his poor penmanship and inexperience lead to the bank worker seemingly guiding him through the process before he compliments her on a job well done.
Mel Gibson is Bandit's biggest star, and fortunately, his presence is more than just a nice marketing tool. Gibson plays Tommy Kay, a well-known fence, who assists Whiteman's criminal activities before becoming good friends with him. Initially, the character comes across as a rather one-note mobster. But as the narrative unfolds and Kay and Whiteman's relationship evolves, we see the depth of Gibson's character as the veteran actor effortlessly delivers prophetic lines like: “Do not tickle the balls of the lion on the way out, kid. Hate to see you get mauled.” It effectively sets up the film's climax while injecting some real heart into the narrative – a quality it can sometimes lack.
Although Ungar's telling of this real story is an entertaining one – it's not without some glaring flaws. The crime drama seems so intent on prioritising Robert Whiteman's character that it fails to build the world around him, leaving the film rather flat in areas. Whether it's not effectively explaining the police's struggle to take down Tommy and Co. or spending little time building Whiteman's relationship with Andrea – Ungar's film fails to provide more emotional weight to moments that demand it – weakening the film's overall impact. The script flaws likely played a factor in certain performances, such as Nestor Carbonell's portrayal of officer Snyder, feeling more like caricatures than real people.
Bandit manages to finish strong with a climax that effectively plays off our desire to see Whiteman escape with Andrea, making the twists and turns all the more dramatic. In the end, Ungar's heist film proves to be an entertaining watch expertly guided by its leading man.
Signature Entertainment presents Bandit on Digital Platforms and DVD 21st August
