Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), the estranged sister of famous con-man Danny Ocean, has just been released on parole. In a series of humorous scenes, she immediately violates said parole by stealing makeup and conning her way into a night at a luxury hotel. Afterward, she meets up with Lou (Cate Blanchett), her best friend and partner in crime. Debbie has a heist planned, something she’s been working on for over five years. She and Lou are going to assemble a team of seven women to rob the Met Gala.
Debbie assembles everyone else: Rose (Helena Bonham Carter), a deeply in debt fashion designer; Nine Ball (Rihanna), a skilled hacker; Constance (Awkwafina), a pickpocket; Amita (Mindy Kaling), a jewelry maker eager to leave her mother’s house; and Tammy (Sarah Paulson), a suburban mom who sells stolen goods out of her garage.
Their target is the Toussaint, a Cartier diamond necklace worth $150 million; their mark is ditzy actress Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway), who will be wearing the Toussaint to the Met Gala.
Ocean's 8, directed by Gary Ross, was so much fun, and reminded me a lot of 2005’s Miss Congeniality, also with Sandra Bullock. It’s clear that everyone is enjoying acting in this film, which makes it fun to watch.
A definite standout was Helena Bonham Carter, who played Rose as having an Irish accent for no discernable reason, which is wonderful. Bullock plays to her natural leadership skills, and Blanchett gracefully jumps in when backup is needed. The rest of the crew essentially plays the roles they were hired for, but there are a few surprising scenes all the same, such as Constance and Amita figuring out Tinder together.
Ultimately, this movie exceeded my expectations. I wanted a movie with sophisticated, talented women pulling a well-planned heist, and I got it. I would recommend it for people who like heist films, comedy, anti-heroines, and people getting away with things even when they really, really shouldn’t.
Tell us, what did you think of Ocean’s 8?