Loophole Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

Loophole Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 13, 2017

American bank heist movies typically take care of business in a more stylish, swift manner, playing up the inherent thrill of theft with pulse-pounding turns of fate and broad personalities to match the mission at hand. The British tend to take it easy on excitement, leaving 1981’s “Loophole” more of a picture to accept than enjoy. An adaptation of a novel by Robert Pollack and directed by John Quested, “Loophole” is pretty much the opposite of suspenseful, taking a leisurely stroll through moral choices, near-misses, and the execution of criminal endeavors. It’s not without merit, but the feature doesn’t appreciate the value of pace, finding more to enjoy about the set-up than the payoff.

Stephen (Martin Sheen) is an American architect who’s recently lost his job with a ritzy firm, left to support an expensive family, including wife Dinah (Susannah York), without any source of income. In deep with his bank and left with few job prospects, Stephen is desperate enough to accept work from Mike (Albert Finney), a shady businessman who requires a master of design to help appreciate the inner workings of a London building he’s researching. Realizing the gig doesn’t add up, Stephen is instead recruited by Mike to rob a major bank, potentially making a fortune in the process. Struggling with the idea of crime, Stephen’s mounting debt forces him to agree to the plan, joining Mike’s gang, including Taylor (Jonathan Pryce), as they commence a plan to use the city’s sewer system as a way to avoid police detection.

It’s the struggle of joblessness that keeps “Loophole” interesting, watching Stephen fight to reclaim a sense of financial balance that’s been lost to unemployment. He’s been living beyond his means, putting his kids in private school and supporting Dinah’s dream of owning a small interior design business, adding additional commitments to his bruised bank account, fearful of admitting defeat to anyone. While Mike’s vault-blasting skills are spotlighted in the opening of “Loophole,” the feature is strongest away from the criminals, with Sheen’s quiet panic and mounting frustration becoming the highlights of the picture, making Stephen’s hopelessness understandable, tenderizing him for Mike, who swoops in with a job offer unlike any other.

Where most movies would come alive when the heist begins, “Loophole” applies the brakes, slowing down to deal with mundane group interactions, while the second half of the picture is entirely devoted to the crime, watching the men laboriously carry out their sewer scheme. While it starts off with promise, “Loophole” eventually slips into tedium, finding little fury to exploit as contentious men attempt the impossible in a claustrophobic space, and one filled with deadly gas. There’s should be more to the film than procedure, but Quested doesn’t have the energy to tighten the screws on the piece, while Stephen’s introspection during the event is dialed down to make room for the gang effort, diluting its intimacy and intriguing sense of humiliation.

Loophole Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation isn't a fresh look at "Loophole," but it satisfactory enough to pass. Age is apparent during the viewing experience, with delineation occasionally struggling with frame information during especially low-lit encounters, and some filtering is encountered. Bright imagery brings out more interesting detail, exposing skin particulars on varied co-stars, and costumes retain fibrous qualities, especially with everyone walking around in heavy suits. Locations maintain textures and distances. Colors aren't charged to begin with, but primaries are adequate, best with dresses and greenery, and interiors maintain passable hues. Whites are periodically bloomy. Skintones are a bit drained. Source is in agreeable shape, without any signs of significant damage.

Loophole Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix leads with concentration on dialogue exchanges, juggling accents and thespian methods to satisfaction, keeping performances easy to follow. Scoring isn't precise but it handles comfortably, supporting the action without distortion. Sound effects are more in charge, detailing explosions, drilling, and assorted robbery mishaps. Atmospherics are acceptable, and subterranean echo is preserved. Hiss is periodically encountered.

Loophole Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director John Quested, moderated by Adam Schartoff.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:26, SD) is included.

Loophole Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Loophole" does benefit from a talented cast, with Sheen and Finney managing motivations without resorting to obvious displays of dramatic strength, and York provides chipper support in the confused wife role. However, this is a lopsided picture without a sure handle on the cinematic power of escalation. It's a heist movie that's more alert away from wrongdoing, showing a better understanding of unemployment and all the terror it inspires than it does with the twisted obsessiveness of criminal intent.