Relativity’s forgotten dog is actually modern-day farce at its best.
When I showed a friend of mine the unjustly forgotten Masterminds, the one comment he continuously made between laughs was, “This was based on a true story?” My friend’s repeated disbelief that the events in Masterminds actually took place, most of them anyhow, proved that the outrageousness of some true stories does make for some genuinely entertaining movies. Indeed, Masterminds, for all its lunacy and old-fashioned zaniness, is a textbook example which not only confirms the old adage that truth isn’t just stranger than fiction, it can be funnier as well.
Masterminds is based on the 1997 case involving armored car employee and good-hearted simpleton David Ghantt (Zach Galifainakis), a low-level blue-collar worker coerced into robbing the company he works for by former employee Kelly Campbell (Kristen Wiig), with whom he is in love. Unbeknownst to him, the plan is being masterminded by the manipulative Steve (Owen Wilson), who plans to cut David out and keep the money for himself. With David’s fiance Jandice (Kate McKinnon), a hitman named Mike (Jason Sudeikis), and a determined FBI agent named Scanlon (Leslie Jones) all in pursuit of David, the result is a hilarious retelling of what would become the largest armored car heist in history.
As a comedy, the film works largely in-part because of its set-up. This is a movie where characters are lying to each other and acting out without full knowledge of what they’re doing, making Masterminds a true modern-day farce that gets more and more entertaining and funny as it keeps going. The result is a collection of set-ups and sight gags involving the likes of chases and cat fights, which make for a deliriously fun ride. Moving things along are plenty of individual moments which offer their own laughs apart from the overall picture. One particular sequence happens as David is trying to flee the country to Mexico via airplane. Decked out in a disguise which includes anaconda contact lenses and a long blonde wig that would make Lady Gaga jealous, David tries to act inconspicuous as he buys a snack before boarding a plane using money from one of the many stolen bundles stuffed in his sweatpants. When the bill he pulls out comes with a wad of hair, David nervously explains to the disgusted airport employee: “I have a cat at home.”
While the set-up and farcical nature more than pulls its own weight, the side-splitting dialogue in Masterminds more than adds its share of laughs to the proceedings. The script is joke after joke from start to finish. “Give me one good reason why we shouldn’t rob this truck,” Kelly tells David early on. “Well for one thing, we could get fired,” he replies. Just as funny is Steve trying to assure Kelly that sending David to prison for their crime won’t be so bad. “You’ve gotta think of it as a community college with a big tall fence around it…and maybe some snipers,” he enthusiastically says. Like any good comedy script, the dialogue in Masterminds allows the actors to really make their characters come alive. “When I take a life, I like to take it. It’s my life now. It’s MY life,” explains the maniacal Mike when he’s hired by Steve to eliminate David. At other times, the laugh out loud lines keep the film from ever feeling slow or saccharine, such as when David is expressing just how far he’s willing to go for Kelly. “I’d rob a funeral home for you,” he insists. “I don’t think there’d be a lot of money in there, but you get the drift.”
Masterminds is blessed with a rich comedic cast, all of whom score laughs in their respective roles. As the film’s three leads, Galifainakis, Wiig, and Wilson each prove what they can do when given a script worthy of their unique comedy styles. Meanwhile McKinnon proves she’s a national treasure and can liven up ANY film with her presence. Her moments (all too brief) are the funniest in Masterminds, beginning with a hilarious sequence of a trashy engagement photo shoot. Sudeikis is perfect as a psycho hired killer, and Jones does well with her unhinged FBI agent.
The film represents one of Relativity’s casualties that was finally able to see the light of day after being delayed from release multiple times. It’s a shame the film got caught in the crossfire of the troubled studio’s financial problems. Masterminds is so wonderfully escapist, even if it isn’t all that novel with its comedy. Yet the film remains funny and endearing, succeeding largely because of its cast, who don’t really phone it in but instead believe in the jokes they’re playing. Both the film and its audience are much better off for it.
The Package
The lone special feature on the Masterminds release is an interview with the real David Ghantt (whom the movie more or less accurately portrays) recalling the events of the real-life crime.
The Lowdown
Masterminds is a 100% madcap affair with a completely willing comedic cast, each at the top of their game.
Masterminds is now available on Blu-ray and DVD from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
