The Score (DVD, 2001, Sensormatic)

Every thief dreams of the big heist that will allow him to leave the business of crime behind. Every thief except Nick (Robert De Niro), a cool, methodical safecracker who never takes on long-shot jobs until his longtime partner, Max (Marlon Brando), offers him the big score--to filch a priceless scepter from the Montreal customs house. Wary about the job, Nick and the hotheaded customs house "insider," Jackie (Edward Norton), begin to dissect the elaborate details of entering the building, avoiding the security measures, blowing the safe, and escaping with the scepter. But as in every thrilling crime caper, plans go awry. Skilled comic director Frank Oz is clearly comfortable working with the best method actors from the past three generations. Brando's Max bursts with joyful cynicism, while De Niro is Brando's perfect foil, so collected that every smile seems like a revelation. Norton's Jackie is far more expressive, but it is Norton's smallest movements--holding a gaze a half beat too long--that hint at the secret motives pulsing beneath his skin. Smooth like the scotch Nick likes to drink, and swirling with tension, THE SCORE provides the real payoff to the audience.

The score is a must see, Excellent plot, excellent actors and excellent ending. Nick Wells (De Niro) is a patient, professional, old school thief who works alone. A narrow escape convinces him that it is time to pack it up and settle down with his casual girlfriend Diane. However his middleman Max (Marlon Brando) comes to him with a big score worth millions each and begins to try and convince him to do it. Acting as a downside to the job is Jack Teller (Edward Norton), the guy with the insider information who Nick must work with as partners on the job. Even as trust is built between the three men, little things begin to be revealed that could put the whole job at risk.

Who does'nt like De Nero, He's Great & NEVER disappoints! Norton - I must say this about about Ed Norton, THIS GUY HAS ACTING TALENT!! If there is one actor who works his craft and brings it to the next level its Ed Norton. He shines in this role. A. Bassett is solid in her role and it helps to add a females point of view with this "LAST HEIST". Brando is clever & slick as Max. There is always more to the story than the story of course, every character has something to gain & lose. I did think it had some slow spots in the movie but it kept me interested enough to the end. The cast was great. A Good caper. Rating: Solid 7

A stellar cast: DeNiro, Brando, Norton and Angela Bassett. The writing is brilliant and the story is believable and extremely harrowing toward the end. If you have never seen this, I encourage you to get a DVD and prepare yourself for a very engaging experience. The tension between Edward Norton and Robert DeNiro is palpable all the way through. The ending is a shocker! Brando has a couple of very funny lines, and it's great to see him finally share the screen with DeNiro (they never had any scenes together in The Godfather series). This is one of the best thrillers I ever saw. Oh yes, Angela Bassett is just adorable and sexy in this - she alone is worth seeing the film. Couldn't be better.

(2001) The Score is a cracking heist movie with Robert DeNiro, Edward Norton and Marlon Brando. I enjoyed many of its ideas - e.g. the intriguing how will the thieves bust such an impenetrable safe ("box")? While The Score never really set me on fire it has some very lovely touches. Norton, Brando and even DeNiro acted well, apart from the more-inert-than-helium chemistry between him and his chick. I was way more interested in Brando's story then DeNiro's.