The Mastermind: A Leisurely Heist with a Shady Protagonist

In Kelly Reichardt's latest drama, Josh O'Connor plays JB Mooney, a charismatic but morally ambiguous art thief, with an effortless charm that makes the film watchable despite its protagonist's inconsistent behavior. Set in the 1970s, the story revolves around JB's heist of four paintings by Arthur Dove, which he plans to sell on the black market. The film explores the fallout of the heist, showcasing JB's escape, his wife Terri's disappointment, and the moral complexities of his actions.

Key Takeaways:

• The film is set in 1970s Massachusetts, a time of student activism and anti-Vietnam-war strikes, which serves as a backdrop to JB's opportunistic behavior.
• Josh O'Connor's portrayal of JB Mooney brings an ingenuous charm to the character, making the film enjoyable despite JB's lack of responsibility and conviction.
• The heist is orchestrated by JB, who sends accomplices to steal the paintings while he waits outside as their getaway driver.
• The scheme threatens to unravel when a policeman pulls up nearby, causing JB to bail on his family without explanation.
• Alana Haim is underutilized in the role of Terri, JB's wife, and Gaby Hoffman shines as Maude, the wife of JB's best friend, who serves as the film's moral center.
• The film uses the national news of student activism as a convenient cover for JB's actions, rather than exploring the deeper satire that could have been mined from the idea.

Statistics:

• 1970: the year in which the student activism and anti-Vietnam-war strikes occurred, providing a backdrop to JB's actions.
• 4: the number of paintings by Arthur Dove that JB steals in the heist.
• 1: the policeman who inadvertently ruins JB's escape plan by pulling up nearby to eat his lunch.
• 0: the number of convictions that JB has, making him a morally ambiguous character.

Sources:

• "The Mastermind" film by Kelly Reichardt, available now in cinemas.
• Haim, Alana, and John Magaro; John Magaro; Kelly Reichardt; and MUBI. Credit: MUBI.