Bandit (2022) | Film Review

After escaping his 18 month prison sentence for check fraud, Bandit’s Gilbert Galvan Jr (Josh Duhamel) finds freedom amongst Canadians. There are many who believe “once a criminal, always a criminal”, which for some may be true. But Gilbert wants to do the right thing and provide for himself in this newfound life. Unfortunately, even the 80s had rules on employment, which includes showing identification. One homeless man’s ID and -$22 later, and Gilbert becomes Robert Whiteman (who he’ll be referred to as going forward).

All good things must come to an end, including Robert’s career as a popsicle salesman in a rainbow vest. On the horizon for new opportunities to provide for he and his new love interest, Andrea Hudson (Elisha Cuthbert), Robert heads west and finds he is exceedingly good at one thing outside of being charming: robbing banks.

Using prosthetics, that aforementioned effervescent charm, and clever methods of deducing security protocols, Robert scathes past any dye packs and police each and every time. One time turns into three, five, twelve, eighteen, and eventually, 59 heists. This national notoriety dubs him “The Flying Bandit”, making each robbery a weightier risk. Robert’s addiction to the money and thrill leads him to form a partnership with gangster and loan shark, Tommy (Mel Gibson), putting him in the direct sights of Detective Snydes (Nestor Carbonell), who will stop at nothing to bring them down.

Frequently, heist movies are non-stop, action-packed adventures. Very rarely do they center on humor and relationships, making the audience truly root for the bad guy. But it’s hard not to root for this Bandit – an intentional move by director Allan Ungar. He’s the guy we can see ourselves in, for one trauma or another. Abandoned by his parents, raised in foster care, without friends and family, a dad who has been incarcerated for most of his life. It’s the American story!

When Robert meets Andrea and their chemistry kicks off, you want him to succeed even more. Unfortunately, even in Canada, the jobs he could take wouldn’t pay much to provide for his family and he can’t exactly get on welfare. This experience is one not foreign to returning citizens or immigrants, and poverty fuels crime. Instead of taking from the little guy, Robert justifies his crimes with the “banks are evil” mentality.

While most of Bandit centers on Robert’s crimes, this is more a character piece on The Flying Bandit himself, humanizing him. His relationship with Andrea is a center point for the story and really, a catalyst for many of his decisions. Or at least that’s what he tells himself.

Despite a good 10-15 minutes that could have been shaved from the first act to establish a cleaner pace, once we get past the initial love story and character set-up is where the story really begins. What is so captivating about Robert and Andrea’s love is how easy it is for us to buy into it from the very first moment they meet. Elisha Cuthbert is a delightful return to screen whose presence alone enhances our experience. Andrea is compassionate, warm, and loving, but also steadfast and independent. Throughout Bandit, we’re left clenching our soda waiting for the ball to drop; if/when Andrea finds out Robert’s secret, how will she react and what will happen to them?

Our investment in Robert is all thanks to Duhamel. The guy is never not great, truly. One of those actors you can throw into a semi-comedic, semi-serious role and you know it’s going to be a fun time. The way he delivers his characters is a feat, to be certain. The audience can actually visualize the growth and change in Gilbert/Robert, as he morphs from an introverted, low-key criminal into a cocky, suave, and mischievously clever thief. Pair him in a criminal duo with Mel Gibson, a swearing sailor of an elite outlaw, and you’ve got yourself a couple of humorous bandits unknowingly running from Detective Snydes in a twisty game of cat-and-mouse.

Although Bandit struggles with introductory pacing, it catches its breath in the second and final act. Knowing it to be a true story makes it more impressive, even if only to remember how easy crime was in the 80s.