Tower Heist (2011)

Directed by: Brett Ratner | 104 minutes | action, comedy, crime | Actors: Casey Affleck, Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Michael Peña, Téa Leoni, Gabourey Sidibe, Alan Alda, Nina Arianda, Judd Hirsch, Danielle McKee, Ming Zhao, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Aprella, John Cenatiempo

The last time Eddie Murphy was old-fashioned funny in a movie, reminiscent of his ‘Beverly Hills Cop’, ‘Coming to America’ and ’48 Hours’ heyday, was probably 1999, when he was in ‘Bowfinger’. played a successful double role alongside fellow comedian Steve Martin. Sure, in ‘Dreamgirls’ Murphy had a very strong role, but this one was more drama-oriented. Eddie probably felt the same way. In his own words, he had the idea for a version of ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ with an all-black cast since 2005. A cast that could have included actors like Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington and Sidney Poitier. Unfortunately for Murphy, this ambitious project never got off the ground. In its original form anyway. Fortunately, Ben Stiller and director Brett Ratner saw something in it. They made some adjustments and ‘Tower Heist’ the result: an entertaining action comedy with glimpses of the old, familiar Murphy and a current story.

In Murphy’s original idea for the film, he would star and the cast would be all black actors. This is no longer the case in the final version. Now he has a supporting role, as the criminal black “friend” of protagonist Ben Stiller, who wants to take revenge with his white colleagues at the hotel against the director who has “speculated” with the pensions of all employees. Maybe it’s going too far to call it role-confirming, but it’s a bit sad. Fortunately, he often steals the show and especially when he invades the tower from the film title (actually the Trump Tower) in the second half of the film, it becomes really enjoyable again. Dressed in a chic suit, he (temporarily) knows how to deceive everyone, even once playing a kind of updated version of his classic throat laugh.

The (background) story may seem slightly familiar to the viewer who follows the news or did this during the beginning of the economic crisis. Not only could the film’s duped protagonists who seek their rights (and money) from an untouchable and insufferable “businessman” thus vouch for the Occupy movement, the heartless swindler in the film, superbly portrayed by Alan Alda, seems vouch for the infamous fraudster Bernard Madoff with his pyramid-like malpractice, who has cheated his customers about 65 billion dollars. The film takes quite some time to show this depravity and make the viewer sympathize with the victims. This man will pay! This introduction may be necessary, but it is a bit on the long side and could have had a little more (inspired) humor. After about forty minutes, a nice pace comes in. Fortunately, ‘Tower Heist’ is a mostly very entertaining movie from then on, with some surprises and nice one-twos between different actors.

Ben Stiller is usually the slut of the movie, but this time he plays a person like you and me who has been duped and won’t let it go. At times he can be called decisive and sometimes even tough. It shouldn’t get any crazier. Also, the role of principal suits him well, giving Murphy and others plenty of room to shine where possible. This shine is mainly due to Murphy and, last but not least, ‘Precious’ actress Gabourey Sidibe, who steals every scene she appears in. Even with a simple disapproving look, she manages to get the laughs on her hand. The highlight of her performance is an apparently improvised scene with Eddie Murphy, in which she surprises Murphy by flirting with him while preparing for the robbery. The looks – both hers and Murphy’s -, the intonation, the body language: it’s a great piece of comedy. Also worth mentioning is an episode where Murphy tries to teach his sudden apprentices about crime, and they all have to show their skills by stealing something valuable in a shopping center. Finally, the film doesn’t contain a lot of action, but does have some memorable scenes with a beautiful Ferrari in the lead, which it is better not to reveal too much about, but which are both exciting and funny.

‘Tower Heist’ may be very predictable in some areas (including the dialogue in the final showdown between Stiller and Alda, complete with chess metaphors), and gets off to a late start, but the film manages to hold its own and use its strengths. Outside. It’s a worthy vehicle for both Stiller and Murphy and definitely leaves you wanting more. Now what about the real black ‘Ocean’s Eleven’? Or ‘Beverly Hills Cop 4’? Bring it on!