MASTERMINDS (2016)

Summary:

Masterminds is a comedic crime caper based on the true story of the 1997 Loomis Fargo Bank robbery in Charlotte, North Carolina. The film follows David Ghantt, a simple, unassuming armored car driver who is manipulated by his crush, Kelly Campbell, and her accomplice, Steve Chambers, into orchestrating one of the largest bank heists in U.S. history. David, driven by a misguided sense of love and a desire for adventure beyond his monotonous life, successfully steals over $17 million in cash but quickly finds himself abandoned and targeted by his co-conspirators while trying to evade the FBI.

The movie blends slapstick comedy with the inherent absurdity of the real-life events, showcasing David's bumbling attempts to survive in Mexico on the run, while Steve and his wife flaunt their newfound wealth back home. As the FBI closes in and Steve's paranoia leads him to hire a hitman to eliminate David, the protagonist must find a way to clear his name and expose the true masterminds behind the operation. The film humorously portrays the incompetence and greed of all involved, leading to a chaotic and ultimately satisfying conclusion.

Keywords: Masterminds, 2016, Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Comedy, Crime, Heist, True Story.

Plot:

David Ghantt, an armored car driver for Loomis Fargo in North Carolina, leads a profoundly unfulfilling life. He’s engaged to the eccentric Jandice Ghantt, whose wedding planning obsesses her, and he’s constantly yearning for something more exciting than his mundane routine. His only solace, and source of emotional turmoil, is his crush on his former co-worker, Kelly Campbell, a vivacious and manipulative woman who recently left Loomis Fargo. Kelly, having been fired, is now involved with Steve Chambers, a small-time criminal who dreams of a big score. Seeing David’s infatuation and his access to the Loomis Fargo vault, Kelly and Steve hatch a plan to convince David to rob the company.

Kelly begins to subtly re-enter David’s life, playing on his affections and his desire for adventure. She paints a picture of a glamorous life they could share if only they had money. David, blinded by his feelings for her and desperate to escape his current existence, slowly falls for their scheme. Steve, meanwhile, is the true orchestrator, meticulously (or rather, haphazardly) outlining the logistics of the heist. The plan is simple: David will steal the money, give it to Steve, and then flee to Mexico, where he will lay low while Steve handles the distribution of the funds. David, ever the naive participant, believes he and Kelly will eventually reunite and live happily ever after with their share of the loot.

On the night of October 4, 1997, David executes the plan. He enters the Loomis Fargo vault, loads approximately $17.3 million in cash into a company van, and drives away. The robbery itself is comically inept, with David struggling to load the money, accidentally leaving a trail of bills, and even leaving a note for his co-workers. After stashing the money with Steve and his wife, Michelle, David attempts to flee to Mexico. His escape is fraught with mishaps, including a comically botched attempt to change his appearance and a series of misadventures at the airport. He eventually lands in Cozumel, Mexico, where he is supposed to await his share of the money and Kelly’s arrival.

Back in the United States, Steve and Michelle Chambers begin to live an ostentatious lifestyle, spending their ill-gotten gains with reckless abandon. They buy a lavish mansion, expensive cars, and throw extravagant parties, making no effort to conceal their sudden wealth. This blatant display of new money quickly draws the attention of the FBI, specifically Agent Scanlon, who is investigating the Loomis Fargo robbery. Scanlon, initially perplexed by the sheer scale and seemingly amateurish nature of the crime, begins to connect the dots between the Chambers’ sudden affluence and the missing money. The Chambers’ public spending spree makes them obvious suspects, but the FBI struggles to find the actual thief, David Ghantt, who has vanished.

Meanwhile, in Mexico, David is living a starkly different life. He is alone, broke, and increasingly paranoid, constantly looking over his shoulder. He quickly realizes that Steve and Kelly have no intention of sending him money or joining him. His desperation grows as he struggles to survive, often resorting to petty theft and odd jobs. Steve, growing increasingly paranoid himself due to the FBI’s investigation and his own reckless spending, fears David might talk. He decides to hire a hitman, Mike McKinney, to travel to Mexico and eliminate David, thereby tying up the loose end and ensuring David can never implicate him or Kelly.

Mike McKinney, a clumsy but determined hitman, tracks David down in Mexico. Several comical attempts on David’s life ensue, each one failing due to David’s sheer luck or McKinney’s incompetence. During one such attempt, David manages to escape, but not before he realizes that he is being hunted by his former accomplices. The realization that Kelly and Steve betrayed him, and are now trying to kill him, fills David with a mixture of anger and a newfound resolve. He decides he will not be a victim; he will return to the U.S. and expose Steve and Kelly, even if it means facing the consequences himself.

David manages to sneak back into the United States, determined to confront Steve. He finds Steve at his extravagant new home, where a confrontation erupts. David, using his newfound courage, manages to outsmart Steve and evade McKinney once again. The FBI, who have been monitoring the Chambers’ activities, are already closing in. The climax sees a chaotic chase and a standoff, with David ultimately being apprehended. However, during his capture, he manages to provide enough information and evidence to the FBI to implicate Steve, Kelly, and Michelle. The absurdity of the situation is further highlighted by the Chambers’ pathetic attempts to evade arrest and their desperate pleas of innocence.

The film concludes with the arrests of David Ghantt, Steve Chambers, Kelly Campbell, Michelle Chambers, and Mike McKinney. The stolen money, most of which was spent, is partially recovered. In the ensuing court case, David pleads guilty and testifies against his co-conspirators. He receives a relatively lenient sentence compared to Steve and Kelly, who are given much harsher penalties due to their roles as the masterminds and their attempts to have David murdered. The movie ends with David Ghantt, now a changed man, reflecting on his journey in prison, having finally found a sense of purpose and, ironically, a more exciting life than he ever imagined, albeit behind bars. He eventually gets out and finds a new, simpler life, having learned valuable lessons about trust, love, and the true cost of chasing an impossible dream.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Zach Galifianakis as David Ghantt
• Kristen Wiig as Kelly Campbell
• Owen Wilson as Steve Chambers
• Kate McKinnon as Jandice Ghantt
• Jason Sudeikis as Mike McKinney

Crew:

• Director: Jared Hess
• Writers: Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Emily Spivey
• Producers: Lorne Michaels, John Goldwyn
• Composer: Geoff Zanelli
• Cinematography: Erik Wilson

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: September 30, 2016
• Language: English
• Genre: Comedy, Crime
• Running Time: 97 minutes
• Accolades: None significant