Vault

Vault from 2019, is a riveting crime thriller directed by Tom DeNucci. It gleams in the star power of veteran actor Don Johnson, along with Lala Kent and Theo Rossi. The epic narrative travels back to the '70s and brings to life the most criminal era of American history. It drives the plot forward by merging in an assemblage of crime, drama, and shifty loyalties and is a remarkable tale of audacity, betrayal, and crime. Fairy tale echoes of Robin Hood meet gritty glimmers of Goodfellas in this plot-driven chronicle of 1975's audacious Bonded Vault heist.

While Don Johnson, best known for his path-breaking roles in various critically acclaimed projects, plays a crime mob boss, Theo Rossi, known for his role in the television series "Sons of Anarchy," empowers the leading role of Deuce, a small-time crook inspired to pull off the mighty heist of Rhode Island’s private mafia bank. Lala Kent as Rosie plays a significant supporting role. Rosie's character has delicate shadings fluctuating between an innocent spouse and a dark, towing partner-in-crime who is tangled up in her husband's questionable activities. The performances by the ensemble cast, including Burt Young and Clive Standen, are engrossing, keeping the audience hooked and the storyline tense.

The plot of Vault unfurls in Rhode Island 1975, where Deuce and his partner Chucky (portrayed by Clive Standen) strive to create an identity for themselves amidst the small-scale mob world. In their attempts to live by their own rules in a world ruled by the mafia, they meet the irresistible opportunity of a daring heist. The target––the mafia's own bank, the Bonded Vault, a secured safety locker for mafiosos that houses a fortune. This offers them a seemingly perfect opportunity to make a grand appearance in the world of crime.

The story condenses almost a decade into a two-hour run-time, fluctuating from the wild escapades of a rebellious past to frantic preparations for an impending heist, and eventually to the consequences that ripple through the characters' lives post heist. Director DeNucci primarily takes up the task of mounting the historical heist onto the cinematic canvas. But he simultaneously presents a human story tainted by the hazardous flash and allure of mob charms. The movie dexterously tries to showcase how the protagonists' lives are unalterably changed by the heist they dared to commit.

Vault's script, penned by director DeNucci himself and B. Dolan, is finely structured and well-knitted. Glimpses of the socio-economic conditions of the turbulent 1970s are incorporated neatly against the larger backdrop of crime and lawlessness. The complex loyalties, heightened tensions, and raw emotions of the characters come to life through sharp dialogues, setting the tone for the movie.

The cinematography by Sam Eilertsen paints a detailed picture of 1970's Providence, Rhode Island. From the color palette to the ambient lighting to the period-appropriate costuming and set-designs, each detailing contributes to offering an authentic representation of the era and geometrically frames the narrative mood of the tale. Accompanied by the pulsating scores of B. Dolan, the view of the gripping saga is intense and exciting.

Vault captures the enigma of the hidden world behind the civilized society, displaying a physiological study of its characters that increasingly involves the audience in its gripping narrative. The descent of two small-time thieves into the pit of a daunting heist, their struggle against the all-powerful underworld, and the constantly swinging pendulum of their destinies form the entrails of this crime saga.

In conclusion, Vault is an exciting tale of ambition, desperation, and survival that moves at a brisk pace where each frame neatly folds into the next, making every twist and turn feel earned. Its strengths lie in its captivating performances, detailed direction, immersive background score, and striking cinematography. It's a historical heist film that squarely focuses on its characters, their motivations, and the surprisingly vast world they inhabit. Vault certainly qualifies for the list of must-watch motion pictures for the admirers of the crime and thriller genres.