Cash Truck – Wrath of Man (2021)

Directed by: Guy Ritchie | 119 minutes | action, crime | Actors: Jason Statham, Holt McCallany, Rocci Williams, Josh Hartnett, Jeffrey Donovan, Scott Eastwood, Andy Garcia, Deobia Oparei, Laz Alonso, Raúl Castillo, Chris Reilly, Eddie Marsan, Niamh Algar, Tadhg Murphy, Alessandro Babalola, Mark Arnold, Gerald Tyler, Alex Ferns, Josh Cowdery, Jason Wong, Rob Delaney, Eli Brown, Kerry Shale, Cameron Jack

After watching ‘Le convoyeur’ (2004), Guy Ritchie got the idea to remake this French film. The result is called ‘Cash Truck’ (original title: ‘Wrath of Man’). Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham both made their debut with the same film, ‘Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ in 1998. This was followed by ‘Snatch’ (2000), which gained cult status with fans, and ‘Revolver’ (2005). Fifteen years later, ‘Cash Truck’ is Guy and Jason’s fourth collaboration. The tone of the film is grim and darker than we are used to from Guy Ritchie.

Five months after a money truck robbery in which several people are brutally murdered, a mysterious man, Patrick Hill, walks into Fortico Security to apply for a job as a security officer. Fortico Security, a company with money trucks, is the same company where the robbery took place. Patrick Hill, who is soon referred to as ‘H’ by his colleagues, undergoes a security training course which he narrowly passes. He is reminded of the seriousness of his work by referring to the bloody money truck robbery of five months ago. However, when the money truck, which H is in, is robbed, it soon becomes clear that he has much more to offer than he initially suspected. And this worries his colleagues. Parallel to this is another storyline about the robbers and their motives. They have an extremely highly developed skillset and they use it to financially compensate for their dissatisfaction. The storylines eventually converge like two freight trains heading towards each other at high speed.

The story is divided into four parts, making it a layered and not chronological whole. It soon becomes apparent, from the moment H calmly walks into the company, that nothing is as it seems. His state of mind and his behavior are not congruent with his new position. He makes no effort at all to be liked by his colleagues. When H manages to stop a heist with the greatest of ease, he becomes a superstar.

At the same time, questions are also asked. How does he get his skills? Who is he? And what is he doing here? The viewer also scratches their head because they have the same information as the players in the story. It is unclear what is going on, but it is a given that it is something serious. As the story unfolds itself, and the deeper layers become visible and tangible, it slowly but surely becomes clear. These are the moments when you come to understand the atrocities that people inflict on each other.

The tone of the film is not what Guy Ritchie’s viewer is used to. His typical humor and dialogues, as in ‘Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ and ‘Snatch’, are completely absent in ‘Cash Truck’. Already in the opening credits, where works of art by the French artist Gustav Doré are used as symbols for the plot, the tone of the film is set. This is best compared to dark bitter coffee that is drunk in one sitting. The sword of Damocles hangs overhead and it is entirely unknown when it will fall. But it will fall for sure.

Jason Statham, in the role of H, cold-bloodedly translates a sentiment that the viewer is not immediately aware of, but whose cause lies at the heart of the story. Also here, as in almost all typecast roles, Jason Statham is the hard-boiled egg who hands out severe punishments with the calmness of an Indian cow. Here he is as smooth and well dressed as James Bond with the character of a bare knuckle fighter.

Both Andy Garcia, as Agent King, and Josh Hartnett as Boy Sweat Dave, are big names but have small roles. They are just building blocks in the whimsical artwork that H is working on. Since Andy Garcia’s role is small, little can be said about his acting. That is not necessary because someone like him no longer has to prove himself. Josh Hartnett, also a great-caliber actor, is the only element with a touch of humor. He therefore forms a stark contrast to H, who is clearly on a dark mission. The great antagonist, the unpredictable element in this story, is played by Scott Eastwood as Jan. Although he doesn’t have much screen time, his presence is always implied as the shadow that keeps out of reach of the protagonist. Scott Eastwood inherited the same ‘Pale Rider’ composure from his father and that is a nice addition to the character he portrays.

‘Cash Truck’ is a journey, an adventure, a man on a mission, a shiny sledgehammer, a high-speed train with a purpose. The plot is quite simple but because of the layering and structure it still feels fresh. It is not a typical Guy Ritchie film when you look at the tone of the film and it still feels as if he has exchanged his typical character traits for a well-known film formula. That’s a pity. Nevertheless, it is a great film where you forget to eat popcorn and your Coke remains untouched. The action scenes are sharp and to the point. The acting is as expected from the actors and otherwise the rhythm of the film is perfect. There is never a moment where you can go to the toilet or check your phone. When the film is over you feel that something intense has happened, without any philosophical repercussions. The black coffee is hot. Enjoy it!