Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: CAPER [SXSW Film 2025 - Austin, Texas]
The context of a caper film usually has to do with the essence of gain. With "Caper" [Narrative Spotlight]. it is all about a group of friends and their efforts to save one of their own. The beginning of the film though starts off a bit disjointed with elements of drama and control but once it settles into the main throttle of who these men are, it finds its footing. The MacGuffin is an errant text message that could spell disaster for one of the circle who can't fix it himself. Because it involves technology, the slightly older men know what needs to be done but not quite how to do it. This sends them on a series of mishaps where they try to make do but, in certain ways, fails at every point. Because this is set in NYC, the sky is the limit and writer/director Dean Imperial plays it to the hilt without going off the deep end. This is not "The Hangover" since nobody is drunk or impaired. They are just running out of ideas through the pinnacle of an actual break-in is actually one of the best parts.
The standout among the crew is cefinitely Larry (Richard Cooper). He is a best connected but also has the exact right pitch of wit to make this work. He knows all is going to end badly but it is for his friend so it is worth it. The other three friends have their own issues which the script does summarily deal with individually. "Caper" knows what it is and is undeniably efficient and fairly commercial. If anything, cutting down one scene of a character in a car could rachet it back just a tad. But again it all depends what its final outlay is. The independent film is where most people get their own final cut comparative to later in their career but, as with most films at SXSW this year, just a few small tweaks can get a picture in rocking shape. And the resolution here really works well because it makes sense and yet both emboldens the central crew but also works in the nature of both their conscience and loyalty, without giving up the humor. "Caper" is not a great film but it is good in the many things that it tries to do. B
By Tim Wassberg
