Caper movies have been a popular genre over the years form “The Great Train Robbery” The Italian Job”, “Ocean’s 11” and “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”. Audiences have often had a romantic connection to charismatic convicts and the success of the genre includes cinematic classics like “The Sting” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” which have endured from generation to generation.
In the new movie “Pixie”; audiences are taking along on a caper that rapidly spins out of control but brings humor and danger in the wake.
When a drug robbery takes an unexpected turn; Pixie (Olivia Cooke); finds her plans to leave her homeland of Ireland for an art school in San Francisco has been upended.
The two people involved in the heist have a connection to her and the fact that two locale boys have become involved via accident soon forces them to team with Pixie to sell the drugs and seek a better future.
Pixie’s Stepfather Dermot (Colm Meaney); is a cultured Gangster becomes involved in the theft as he is concerned that the incident is an indication that a long-standing truce has been broken and he is anxious to settle the situation before things escalate into all-out war.
While this seems like an overly complicated setup; it actually plays out well in terms of establishing the characters, scenarios, and their motivations. Pixie is an adventurous girl with a dark side and is able to manipulate those around her but her motivations are clear.
Pixie is clearly one who likes to take risks and unlike playing at CasinoChan Canada; her gambles usually result in chaos and destruction.
While a segment of the film becomes a road trip as Pixie and her semi-reluctant accomplices attempt to unload their ill-gotten gains; the larger picture soon culminates in an amusing finale.
The characters are very enjoyable and the brief appearance of Alec Baldwin as a dubious Priest brings an enjoyable wrinkle to the film.
While “Pixie” is not going to become a caper classic; it is an enjoyable film with a fun and enjoyable cast and provides an enjoyable diversion for those looking for a winning mix of humor and drama.
4 stars out of 5
