Ocean’s 8
4 stars
Director: Gary Ross
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway
Duration: 110 mins
Class: 12
KRS Releasing Ltd

There has been a bit of a kerfuffle over the mixed reviews earned by Ocean’s 8, the heist movie based on the Ocean’s franchise which features an all-female ensemble.

The Guardian newspaper reported that the film’s stars have accused male critics of failing to appreciate their film, while box office numbers to date show that audiences do appreciate it.

And, as co-star Mindy Kaling put it: “If I had to base my career on what white men wanted I would be very unsuccessful, so there is obviously an audience out there who want to watch things like (Ocean’s 8).” 

There may be truth in Kaling’s claims, given the newspaper goes on to report on a study which found that 80 per cent of US critics who wrote about last year’s 100 most successful films were men and 82  per cent of them white.

Whether this means my gender is the cause of my bias in favour of the film (or simply my admiration for another of its co-stars, Cate Blanchett), is open to debate. But, I would opine that a fun-filled, funny and frothy caper of this ilk can and should be enjoyed by all genders. Sandra Bullock stars as Debbie Ocean (sister to Danny Ocean, as played by George Clooney in the original trilogy). Having nothing better to do as she serves a five-year prison sentence, Debbie dreams up the perfect – if impossible – heist: the theft of a $150 million diamond necklace at the famous annual Metropolitan Museum of Art fundraising gala.

On release from jail, Debbie reconnects with former partner-in-crime Lou (Blanchett) and, having convinced her the plan will work, they recruit their team – diamond specialist Amita (Kaling); street con artist Constance (rapper and actress Awkwafina); Tammy (Sarah Paulson), an expert in selling stolen goods; computer hacker 9-Ball (Rihanna); and Rose Weil (Helena Bonham Carter), a fashion designer whose career is on the rocks.

A perfect summer movie

The necklace is to be worn at the gala by world-famous acting diva Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway), who is completely oblivious that she is at the centre of the plan.

As a heist caper movie, Ocean’s 8 ticks all the right boxes. Granted, you need to suspend disbelief as they undergo their elaborate prep circumventing all potential obstacles with remarkable ease. And, as with all heist movies of this kind, it needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.

But that is part of the fun; although the script by Gary Ross (who also directs) and Olivia Milch does place a few unexpected hindrances in the ladies’ way and throws in an unexpected twist towards the end featuring a member of the original Ocean’s cast (and no, not the one you expect).

The film does not introduce anything new to the mix per se. Yet, the female ensemble is ground-breaking in itself, even acknowledging this in a scene where the team is being put together and Lou suggests a guy; Debbie disagrees, saying that “a him gets noticed. A her gets ignored, and for once we want to be ignored”. A loaded line if ever there was one.

The formidable female ensemble is undeniably the film’s selling point and each member is in fine fettle. Each character is introduced with just enough back story and the octet shares the screen time equitably.

The chemistry between Bullock and Blanchett sizzles – so much so, one wonders whether there was a romantic involvement between them at any point (maybe something to explore next time round?).

The former is all steely sass and gets to show off her perfect German. Blanchett exudes the cool, calm and collectedness of a career criminal; Bonham Carter brings her specific brand of ditz to the mix; Paulson segues from suburban housewife back to her old ways with ease, while Hathaway slyly sends up the typical Hollywood diva trope.

Awkwafina’s slender pickpocket is hilarious and Rihanna is extremely droll. After introducing herself as 9-Ball, Debbie asks her what her real name is; ‘8-Ball’ she replies, completely deadpan (her actual real name is much less original). There are a few guys thrown in the mix – Richard Armitage is Debbie’s smarmy ex-boyfriend and James Corden shows up as an insurance investigator, but this film belongs to the ladies, who tackle it with a gusto that is infectious. Ocean’s 8 is, in summary, a perfect summer movie.