Film & TV

Film Review: Tower Heist

Running time: 104mins

Rating: M

Release date: 26 December 2011

Tower Heist is proof that you don't have to have a big name cast to make a good crime comedy, though it makes use of some seasoned and talented performers.

Ben Stiller is Josh Kovacs, a hard-nosed and efficient manager of The Tower, a ritzy apartment building in downtown New York. He pays special attention to all the tenants, including Arthur Shaw played by Alan Alda, who looks every bit the part of the shrewd financier. One day, Shaw is arrested by the FBI under suspicion of fraud. At the beginning Kovacs is sure that Shaw is innocent, however he starts to have his doubts when it is apparent that the employees pensions that Shaw was managing, have gone.

Kovacs loses his temper, and his job. FBI agent Claire Denham, played convincingly by Téa Leoni, lets it slip to Kovacs that Shaw may be hiding around $20 million that he might use in an emergency. What ensues is an hilarious attempt at finding the stash of cash in Shaw's apartment. Kovacs enlists the help of con-man and thief Slide played by Eddie Murphy, who is perfect for the part, Wall Street whiz gone bust Mr Fitzhugh (Matthew Broderick), and Odessa (Gabourey Sidibe of the film "Precious"). Odessa is a maid from The Tower who has "special skills". Together they attempt to dodge The Tower's security, and the FBI, to get to Shaw's money, and out of the building through the use of some clever diversions but not without the inevitable hiccups along the way.

A couple of questionable plot points take a little shine off of the Tower Heist, however overall it is a fun, entertaining ride.

4 out of 5 stars

Review by Dave Nottage

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