What makes the film Vault stand out is the production that includes the very good cinematography that looks like it was made during the 1970’s. It convinces with the use of vintage autos, slum like locations and costuming of the era. The movie brings you back to the era of the true story on which it is based. Combine this with the fine acting by Theo Rossi and Clive Standen and the movie comes up a good measure above average.
In 1975 a couple of smalltime hoods, Deuce (Theo Rossi) and Chucky (Clive Standen), rob a pawn shop in Providence, Rhode Island in the middle of the afternoon. During the robbery, Deuce hits on Karyn (Samura Wiley) and makes it known that he favors her. That night he gives her a ride home from work and they become an item.
Days later the two pals pull a bank heist and after making a good exit find their getaway driver has departed. Getting convicted of the job, Deuce and Chucky get sent to prison where they get to see their local mob boss Don Raymond (Chazz Palminteri) who’s there on a charge of murder. They see the special treatment he’s getting from the warden and when they have an opportunity to impress him, French hoodlum Gerry (Don Johnson) takes the two under his wing.
Upon early release from jail, Deuce and Chucky are offered a special job to rob a business vault that holds millions of mafia dollars. Director and co-writer Tom DeNucci puts a lot of buildup in the first 20 minutes almost making it a completely separate film. He then takes you into the real meat of the story with Deuce on the run with Karyn and Chucky dealing with Gerry on the home front. The early backstory’s an okay way of presenting the movie as it does give it a bit of nostalgia of the mid 1970’s while setting up the strong points of the true story.
The performances by Theo Rossi (Juan Carlos in “Sons of Anarchy”) and Clive Standen (Rollo in Showtime’s “Vikings”) are spot on showing their characters’ friendship and camaraderie that they have built over the years. The chemistry between them also helps to develop Chucky and Deuce, proving why they trust each other and will go at lengths to protect and provide. While Chucky is the strong arm, Deuce provides the brains in setting up the jobs.
The scenes of the prison where there’s minimal security and the yard is used for fierce exercise gets very tense. With the mob bosses watching, a brutal fight scene takes place that looks very real thanks to the choreographer, make-up and close camera work. The prison quarters of Don Raymond are like a home away from home and the mafia Don uses it for meetings with inmates. Just as important, Gerry also gets special treatment as shown by his many liberties.
Vault has been rated R by the MPAA for language throughout, violence, drug use and some sexuality/nudity. It’s a very brutal movie so be cautioned on that point. The story gets a bit common among other films of its ilk, but less you know about the real robbery and the aftermath will give a favorable show for the target audience.
FINAL ANALYSIS: The production and acting are very good, but the story gets a bit commonplace. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Theo Rossi, Clive Standen, Samira Wiley, Chazz Palminteri, Don Johnson, William Forsythe, Sean Ringgold, Vincent Pastore, Chuck Zito and Burt Young
Directed and co-written by: Tom DeNucci
Genre: Crime, Drama
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, violence, drug use and some sexuality/nudity
Running Time: 1 hr. 39 min.
Opening Date: June 14, 2019
Distributed by: Grindstone Entertainment Group
Released in: Standard, Color
