Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Directors: Gary Ross, Roadshow Entertainment.
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter Clan.
It’s an impressive A-list cast that sees an all-female crew slickly carry out an impossible heist at New York City’s yearly Met Gala.
The women band together to infiltrate the Metropolitan Museum of Art run by Vogue’s Anna Wintour and steal a one-of-a-kind $150 million necklace that’s worn by celebrity Daphne Kluger (Hathaway).
Bullock plays Debbie Ocean (Bullock), the sister of Ocean’s trilogy chief Danny Ocean (George Clooney). The film opens with her being released from prison, and sees her wasting no time in carrying on the family business by plotting this enormous heist. In fact, her daring tactics in high-dollar shoplifting will dazzle you.
Debbie recruits her best friend Lou (Blanchett), a nightclub owner, to set out and assemble a team of larcenists. Other members of the recruited team are: Tammy (Paulson), a suburban wife and mother who is also a reliable fence; Amita (Kaling), a jeweller who’s used to doing shady work for Debbie though nothing quite like this; Constance (Awkwafina), a con artist and petty thief who brings a youthful, streetwise edge to the crew; Rihanna as a resourceful hacker who goes by the name Nine Ball and solves every tricky security challenge with a low-key confidence; and fashion designer Rose Weil (Bonham Carter). Rose’s days of top-line popularity maybe behind her, but her fame and influence provide the team with access to the star-studded event.
Without her first realising it, the eighth member is actress Daphne Kluger (Hathaway) as the ‘It Girl’ who is one of the hosts and around whose neck will sit the expensive necklace.
While Bullock is in command in the lead role and there’s great chemistry between her and Blanchett, Awkwafina is a breath of fresh air, Carter is her delightful odd self, but it’s Hathaway who shines. She’s an actress playing an actress and does not waste a moment of deliberately exaggerating her emotions.
This team takes us on a sparkling escape where some of their antics will leave you feeling lighthearted. Glamorous costumes (created in conjunction with top designers) make a stunning fashion statement. However, beneath the couture gowns, glittering jewels, the high-tech equipment and good, old-fashioned sleight of hand, Ocean’s 8 is about the power of women standing up for themselves, sticking with each other and making the impossible happen.
Blu-ray viewing is a blast. You’ll wait anxiously for the next heist!
