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Opening Venice heist and escape.

Bill Simmons: Charlize talking to her dad by phone is proposed.

The Venice safe heist and speedboat chase are grouped as a major choice.

The film

The Italian Job (2003)

Directed by F. Gary Gray · Crime

111 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Mark Wahlberg Charlie ‘Hustle’ Croker
Charlize Theron Stella Bridger
Edward Norton Steve Frazelli
Donald Sutherland John Bridger
Jason Statham ‘Handsome’ Rob
Seth Green Lyle ‘Napster’
Mos Def Gilligan ‘Left Ear’
Franky G Wrench

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

3:00

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

The film supercharged the later Fast & Furious series.

The film supercharged the later Fast & Furious series.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:03:00Read transcript
  • The later Fast & Furious films are argued to borrow the crew structure, location changes, driving stunts, villain, and personal bonds. — Bill Simmons
14:15

Steven Seagal shitting on himself award for most unbelievable anecdote from the actual film shoot

Edward Norton was compelled to honor his Paramount deal.

Edward Norton was compelled to honor his Paramount deal.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:14:15Read transcript
  • A two-movie Paramount obligation after Primal Fear is reported as the origin of the dispute. — Chris Ryan
  • Paramount reportedly paid one million dollars while his market quote had risen to ten million.
  • A threatened lawsuit reportedly led him to perform, though his work on set was described as professional.
39:07

Roger Ebert's review

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:39:07Read transcript
  • The review gives three stars and praises the caper construction, chase scenes, and gold theft. — Bill Simmons
  • The review says it would have inspired gratitude after The Brown Bunny. — Bill Simmons
41:15

Most Rewatchable Scene

Opening Venice heist and escape.

Opening Venice heist and escape.

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 00:41:15Read transcript
  • Charlize talking to her dad by phone is proposed. — Bill Simmons
  • The Venice safe heist and speedboat chase are grouped as a major choice.
  • The double cross is proposed. — Bill Simmons
  • The cable-repair infiltration is proposed. — Bill Simmons
  • The date and confrontation with Steve are proposed. — Bill Simmons
  • The Hollywood Boulevard, subway, river, and helicopter chase is proposed. — Bill Simmons
  • Putting the crew together and explaining their backstories is proposed.
  • The driving-rain introduction of Skinny Pete is proposed.
  • The opening Venice sequence is the final consensus choice. — Bill Simmons
51:04

The most 2003 thing

Lyle claiming he invented Napster.

Lyle claiming he invented Napster.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:04Read transcript
  • Lyle claiming he invented Napster is the clear answer. — Chris Ryan
  • Unchallenged hacker mumbo-jumbo is identified as a fading early-2000s convention. — Chris Ryan
  • Hollywood Boulevard appearing lively is proposed.
  • Seth Green having an important role is proposed. — Bill Simmons
54:13

Gandolfini Butter on My Ass So It Pops in My Mouth Award

Crew-introduction montages; gold bars; fake cable repair; traffic-light manipulation.

Crew-introduction montages; gold bars; fake cable repair; traffic-light manipulation.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:54:13Read transcript
  • Explaining each crew member and origin is proposed. — Chris Ryan
  • Gold bars and their untraceability are proposed.
  • The fake cable repair used for surveillance is proposed. — Van Lathan
  • Manipulating stoplights and accurate Los Angeles traffic geography are proposed.
55:46

What’s Aged the Best?

Real vehicles and chases; Mini Coopers; cast driving; Los Angeles locations.

Real vehicles and chases; Mini Coopers; cast driving; Los Angeles locations.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:46Read transcript
  • The one-last-job setup and Los Angeles River action are proposed. — Bill Simmons
  • Early-2000s Mini Coopers are proposed. — Bill Simmons
  • The cast doing its own driving is praised; Charlize is reported best and Mos Def worst.
  • Real vehicles doing real chases in real places is proposed. — Van Lathan
  • The Korean driving range and Samoan crew are proposed. — Van Lathan
  • The shopkeeper predicting financial collapse is selected as the winner. — Van Lathan
58:48

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Body surfacing; Venice pan into the house.

Body surfacing; Venice pan into the house.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:58:48Read transcript
59:04

Chest Rockwell / Brock Landers Award for Best Character Name

Handsome Rob; Skinny Pete; Left Ear.

Handsome Rob; Skinny Pete; Left Ear.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:04Read transcript
59:14

The Slow Ride / Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness Award for Best Needle Drop

California Soul; driving techno.

California Soul; driving techno.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:14Read transcript
  • California Soul is selected.
  • The radio-like techno during driving is also proposed. — Chris Ryan
59:24

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

The L.A. Job or The Hollywood Job.

The L.A. Job or The Hollywood Job.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:24Read transcript
  • The L.A. Job is proposed.
  • The Hollywood Job is proposed.
59:50

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The heist economics and small take.

The heist economics and small take.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:50Read transcript
  • The crew may clear only a few million after financing both heists.
  • The $27 million take is judged too small for the risk and Hollywood Boulevard damage.
  • The gold is argued to need a value around $100 million.
1:06:32

What’s Aged the Worst?

Money song; unearned romance; Napster stalking; Stella’s plan; Statham’s hair.

Money song; unearned romance; Napster stalking; Stella’s plan; Statham’s hair.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:32Read transcript
  • The repeated money song is criticized. — Bill Simmons
  • The final Wahlberg-Theron romance is judged unearned.
  • Lyle cyberstalking his former girlfriend is proposed. — Chris Ryan
  • Stella announcing her father’s catchphrase during the setup is challenged. — Chris Ryan
  • Jason Statham’s hair is proposed, followed by discussion of later hair-transplant fashion. — Van Lathan
1:06:41

Did This Movie Need a Random Sports Scene?

Yes: the brief basketball scene.

Yes: the brief basketball scene.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:41Read transcript
  • The basketball scene is criticized for Jason Statham’s defense and unfamiliarity with checking the ball. — Bill Simmons
  • Mark Wahlberg is argued to have shoehorned in the shot to display his basketball ability.
1:14:53

The Den of Thieves Benihana Award for Scene-Stealing Location

Venice.

Venice.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:53Read transcript
  • Venice is selected as the scene-stealing location. — Bill Simmons
1:15:07

Hans Gruber Scale Villain Ranking

Steve: five or six out of ten.

Steve: five or six out of ten.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:07Read transcript
  • Steve receives a five and a six on the villain scale.
  • The actor’s detachment is said to work for the character. — Bill Simmons
1:15:35

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

No selection.

No selection.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:35Read transcript
1:15:47

Is There a Porn Parody of This Movie?

The Italian Jobs (proposed; no existing parody found)

The Italian Jobs (proposed; no existing parody found)

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:47Read transcript
  • No existing porn parody is reported. — Van Lathan
  • The Italian Jobs is proposed as the title for an elaborate original parody. — Van Lathan
1:18:08

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Modern action logic makes the crew’s refusal to shoot Steve hard to accept; Charlize Theron mirrors Halle Berry.

Modern action logic makes the crew’s refusal to shoot Steve hard to accept; Charlize Theron mirrors Halle Berry.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:08Read transcript
1:20:17

Van Lathan Award for Did This Movie Need More Black People?

Yes: add Steve’s Black sidekick/bodyguard and more Black Los Angeles culture.

Yes: add Steve’s Black sidekick/bodyguard and more Black Los Angeles culture.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:17Read transcript
  • Steve is proposed to have a Black sidekick or bodyguard.
  • The hacker could have been played by a Black actor. — Van Lathan
  • More Black women and young local actors are proposed.
  • A club or concert sequence tied to 2003 Los Angeles culture is proposed.
1:22:18

Casting What-Ifs

Mark Wahlberg left S.W.A.T.; Giovanni Ribisi was considered for Lyle.

Mark Wahlberg left S.W.A.T.; Giovanni Ribisi was considered for Lyle.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:18Read transcript
1:23:04

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Skinny Pete; Scott Adsit; Boris Krutonog; Oscar Nuñez.

Skinny Pete; Scott Adsit; Boris Krutonog; Oscar Nuñez.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:04Read transcript
  • Skinny Pete is proposed. — Chris Ryan
  • Scott Adsit as the actor rehearsing in traffic is proposed. — Chris Ryan
  • Boris Krutonog as Yevin is proposed.
  • Oscar from The Office as the security guard is proposed. — Van Lathan
1:23:37

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Shawn Fanning; Donald Sutherland; Skinny Pete.

Shawn Fanning; Donald Sutherland; Skinny Pete.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:37Read transcript
  • Donald Sutherland and Skinny Pete are proposed.
  • Shawn Fanning is selected as an inspired cameo choice.
1:23:52

Recasting Couch

Replace Philadelphia; consider Leonardo DiCaprio for Charlie.

Replace Philadelphia; consider Leonardo DiCaprio for Charlie.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:52Read transcript
1:26:24

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Put the Venice heist last.

Put the Venice heist last.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:24Read transcript
  • The Venice heist is argued to be the coolest and should have been the finale. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The abandoned house plan is also preferred to the final heist. — Craig Horlbeck
1:28:17

Half-Assed Internet Research

Norton dispute, stunts, and Mini Cooper production details.

Norton dispute, stunts, and Mini Cooper production details.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:17Read transcript
  • The Norton history, stunts, and extensive Mini Cooper material are the research topics. — Bill Simmons
1:28:17

Apex Mountain

Mini Coopers; possibly Seth Green; Hollywood around 2003.

Mini Coopers; possibly Seth Green; Hollywood around 2003.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:17Read transcript
1:30:09

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Cruise, potentially as Steve.

Tom Cruise, potentially as Steve.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:09Read transcript
1:30:32

Picking Nits

Cable-repair disguise; truck identification; exact road blast; border celebration; bullets, cold water, and absent po...

Cable-repair disguise; truck identification; exact road blast; border celebration; bullets, cold water, and absent police.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:32Read transcript
  • Stella posing as cable repair is called ludicrous. — Bill Simmons
  • Identifying the correct truck from tire size is challenged. — Bill Simmons
  • Blowing the exact road square under the correct truck is challenged.
  • Celebrating beside a one-lane border road after stealing gold is challenged.
  • Bullets traveling through water at full speed are challenged. — Chris Ryan
  • The transcript correction addresses the bullet objection but says the cold water and shared air would still kill the crew. — Chris Ryan
  • The absence of police is challenged.
1:32:08

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

Six sequels; a Donald Sutherland prequel; Stella Bridger series; all-Black heist film.

Six sequels; a Donald Sutherland prequel; Stella Bridger series; all-Black heist film.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:32:08Read transcript
  • Multiple location-based sequels are requested.
  • A Donald Sutherland prequel and Stella Bridger safecracker series are proposed.
  • An all-Black heist film prompts discussion of unequal audience perceptions of criminal ingenuity. — Van Lathan
1:34:31

Is This Movie Better With…?

Derek from American History X.

Derek from American History X.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:31Read transcript
  • Derek from American History X is proposed and inserted into a hypothetical Mini Cooper challenge.
1:35:40

Just One Oscar

Stunts.

Stunts.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:35:40Read transcript
1:35:56

Probably Unanswerable Questions

How do they escape the damage and pursuit? Is anyone better than the Ocean’s Eleven counterpart?

How do they escape the damage and pursuit? Is anyone better than the Ocean’s Eleven counterpart?

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:35:56Read transcript
  • The panel asks how they avoid pursuit after causing enormous damage.
  • The panel asks if anybody is better at their job than a counterpart in the Ocean’s 11th.
  • Handsome Rob is judged capable of joining Danny Ocean’s crew.
1:37:26

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Gold brick or Mini Cooper.

Gold brick or Mini Cooper.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:26Read transcript
1:37:38

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Trust everyone, but not the devil inside them.

Trust everyone, but not the devil inside them.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:38Read transcript
  • The lesson about trusting everyone but not the devil inside them is selected. — Chris Ryan
1:37:38

Best Double Feature

Fast & Furious 4.

Fast & Furious 4.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:38Read transcript
  • Fast & Furious 4 is selected to compare elements borrowed from this movie. — Bill Simmons
1:37:57

Who Won the Movie?

Mini Coopers; Edward Norton also proposed.

Mini Coopers; Edward Norton also proposed.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:57Read transcript
  • Edward Norton is proposed because the performance is captivating on rewatch.
  • Mini Coopers are selected emphatically as the movie winner. — Craig Horlbeck
Podcast choices
Craig Horlbeck
Mini Coopers