Lassiter (1984)

Lassiter Poster

Scotland Yard and the FBI force a thief and his girlfriend to steal Nazi diamonds from a German countess.

Overview
"Lassiter" is a British-American neo-noir criminal offense thriller movie launched in 1984, directed by Roger Young and including Tom Selleck in the titular function. The film is set in 1930's London, where Selleck plays Nick Lassiter, a notorious jewel burglar. Jane Seymour, Lauren Hutton, and Bob Hoskins round out the primary cast, playing roles of a sexy spy, a femme fatale, and a Scotland Yard investigator respectively.

Plot
The film begins as Nick Lassiter is caught during a break-in gone wrong and is then blackmailed by Scotland Yard into helping them. Investigator John Becker (Bob Hoskins) pushes Lassiter to steal ₤ 10 million worth of German diamonds from the German embassy, with the hope of disrupting the German economy and World War II. If Lassiter declines or fails, he would face prolonged jail time.

On the other hand, Lassiter is in love with waitress Sara Wells (Jane Seymour), whom he plans to marry after finishing his last heist. The plot thickens when Lassiter is seduced by Kari Von Fursten (Lauren Hutton), the German secretary who has access to the safe where the diamonds are kept. This unexpected alliance becomes a double-cross, leading to various plot twists.

Execution and Themes
"Lassiter" masterfully integrates components of crime, action, and love. The complex plot unfolds masterfully, represented through appealing efficiencies, particularly Selleck's representation of the suave and daring gem thief. The movie's narrative is both extreme and entertaining, with Lassiter's cunning and appeal being utilized versus him, forcing him into situations that evaluate his moral compass, loyalty, and love for Sara.

The film is focused around styles of loyalty, treachery, deception, and terrible paradox, as Lassiter is pushed into an unsafe break-in, strained between his love for Sara and adjustment by Kari. The tense and significant scenes are sprinkled with moments of light-hearted love and humor, producing an awesome cinematic experience.

Endings and Reception
As the story draws to a close, Lassiter's cunning, together with some unanticipated aid, allows him to manage the break-in effectively, despite the twists and double-crosses, and he manages to escape from both the police and the Germans. He likewise makes sure that the diamonds do not wind up with the Brits or Germans however end up funding an orphanage instead.

Although "Lassiter" got blended evaluations from critics upon its release, its tension-building storyline, stylish duration setting, and strong performances were applauded. Tom Selleck was particularly commended for his departure from his popular TV character, Magnum P.I., proving his flexibility as a star.

In general, "Lassiter" is an exciting and stylish heist motion picture that effectively worked within the frameworks of neo-noir movie theater and made a significant contribution to the criminal offense thriller category of the 1980s. Its intricate storyline, combined with a notable cast and proficient direction, makes it a compelling watch.

Top Cast

  • Tom Selleck (small)
    Tom Selleck
    Nick Lassiter
  • Jane Seymour (small)
    Jane Seymour
    Sara Wells
  • Lauren Hutton (small)
    Lauren Hutton
    Kari Von Fursten
  • Bob Hoskins (small)
    Bob Hoskins
    Inspector John Becker
  • Joe Regalbuto (small)
    Joe Regalbuto
    Peter Breeze
  • Ed Lauter (small)
    Ed Lauter
    Smoke
  • Warren Clarke (small)
    Warren Clarke
    Max Hofer
  • Christopher Malcolm (small)
    Christopher Malcolm
    Quaid
  • David Warbeck (small)
    David Warbeck
    Muller
  • Belinda Mayne (small)
    Belinda Mayne
    Helen Boardman
  • Peter McNamara (small)
    Peter McNamara
    German Guard