I can't believe this comedy went right to DVD. When I think of some of the garbage the big studios put out and call comedy, I'm appalled that "The Maiden Heist" did not have a theatrical release. However, I believe the production company went bankrupt.The films stars Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, William H. Macy, and Marcia Gay Harden. Freeman, Walken, and Macy are museum guards. Each over time has become attached to a particular work of art. For Roger (Walken), it's The Lonely Maiden; for Charles (Freeman), it's a portrait of a woman with cats; and for George (Macy) it's the sculpture of an athlete which so consumes him that each time he sees it (thankfully as he's guarding at night) he strips off his clothes and copies the pose.When the three learn that these pieces are all going to Denmark, they devise a plan to switch them with copies. Since they've studied these works and know every subtlety, nothing passes muster, and it takes a while to get everything assembled. Then they volunteer to help pack and take the art to the airport. In a subplot, Roger's annoying wife (Harden) wants to take a trip to Florida, and because of her big mouth, Roger almost doesn't get to be part of the packing-switching. On the actual day of the job, there are some unexpected occurrences.Very funny, fresh comedy with outstanding performances by everyone but Harden, an excellent actress but here, she is over the top. WAY over. She may very well have been directed that way, but that New York accent was overdone. In one of the last scenes in the van, however, she is absolutely hysterical reacting to what she thinks is a surprise planned by Roger.A wonderful movie, a warm film about friendship, and a passion for art among everyday guys. The movie has two endings; you'll think it's over but there's a little more. I really loved it.

There I was walking through and airplane (yes an airplane) and caught a glimpse of Morgan Freeman on screen. Taking a moment I gazed into the screen for a moment guessing it was a trailer of RED. It wasn't, instead it is The Maiden Heist. This is how I became familiar with the title and that's how events led me to end up right here right now.What is the most appropriate word to convey my feelings on the title? Let me think…….. Intrigued? Yes that's the right word. I was intrigued when I realized there was a Morgan Freeman movie on the likes of RED (If you have not watched red, its high time you did).It's always a pleasure and privilege to see some well experienced greats in action, it's like being a kid and really enjoying playing a game of cricket or catch with the old folk. The Maiden Heist starring Christopher Walken, William Macy and Morgan Freeman, is a simple light hearted movie with gentle humor and a plain plot. Three museum security guards; Rogers (Walken), George (Macy) and Charles (Freeman) are passionate lovers of the arts. Over the years the men worse; the museum curator decides to ship the displayed artifacts to a museum in Denmark. The veteran security guards are unable to fathom the idea of losing the precious artifacts and conjure up a devious plan to steal them prior to it being flown to Denmark and out of sight forever. Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken and William Macy are highly talented actors with very powerful and strong personas. There is a lot of controlled underplaying done by them all to keep the plot simple. In fact I am taken quite by surprise to see Morgan Freeman to be playing a quite effeminate security guard instead of being his commanding self. Christopher Walken who toys mostly with eccentric portrayals in fact is obviously trying hard to keep his character afloat as a man who is dominated by his wife. William Macy is not outdone by them, Macy is unbelievably hilarious, especially when he ends up stark naked and is captured on CCTV footage and his love for naked statue. Director Peter Hewitt struck gold with his cast. Although this movie has been the last of his directorial efforts so far, I am sure this cast he worked with is most certainly an all-star cast that he will not forget for a long time. Simply a wonderful movie, very gentle in every aspect and it's a welcome change to see such great names do a lighter version of a heist and not altogether be called a disaster. However research on this title shows that it has not fared well at the box office. I am starting to believe it was entirely an advertising flaw, for starters, I had never heard of it until 5 days ago. I am glad I did. Better late than never!Title: The Maiden Heist Directed by: Peter Hewitt Starring: Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, William Macy & Marcia Gay Harden Rated: PG13 for strong language, nudity and some brief fantasy violence. Rated: 07/10 90 Minutes

9 out of 10 for what I perceive this film is expressing.There is something really special, unique even, about this film, whatever you think about story or acting, that follows at the end below.How to show the extraordinary in the ordinariness of people's lives? And present it in an interesting and entertaining way, without being judgmental? First, choose three of the most accomplished actors of the past half-century. Then make the story about good guys being naughty, sorta in the anti-hero vein. Finally, add feelings of genuine affection, friendship and love.This is an actors movie, and will be especially gratifying for those who appreciate consummate acting. But there's more to it. Many years back I read an article in the NYT Magazine discussing the work of Glenda Jackson. They described her as an "honest" actor. Honesty is a quality of every great actor. Honesty comes from innocence, perhaps being totally honest with oneself. These three (actually four considering Harden) actors are so accomplished that they need not convince us – they *are* their characters. What acting is about. Just like life. We each find something interesting in our lives, and this not only connects us with others but provides a way to express ourselves and find friendship, even love, but most certainly, the possibility of a kindness within that is particularly human. The quotes below touch on this.kosmasp - And is it a bad thing, that this movie works mainly because of the three main actors? skunkgyrl - THE MAIDEN HEIST (there is a more to the title than you might think) is like getting together with old friends for a chuckle. . . .the results are a fun film that has some gentle hidden messages about friendship, relationships, and loving your job. . . It is a pleasure to see three fine actors such as Freeman, Walken and Macy pull off this comedy, aided by the absurd character Marcia Gay Harden inhabits. It is well-scripted full and it is very obvious that these actors are having a great time with the film.dexteruk - Anything can take a persons fancy, and become an obsession, a piece of string, how mundane it is to some, could be someones obsession, and they could know all manner of things about it.So here it is. What is truly special about this film is its ending, or the plural, "endingS." Endings are extremely important to any story, and especially in film because of its immediacy and closeness to everyday reality (and notice how many novels have an epilogue). Dysfunctional endings in films (and I'm not talking about endings that leave things hanging, as these can be quite an effective device to involve us in the story) that come to mind (and ruined fine stories) are The Temp and January Man. Dontya want an ending that provides a new beginning, or at least gets you to ponder further? This film has four, yes, four endings. The test of this perception is to view the film from when Christopher Walken is snorkeling in the ocean on to the end, first discovering each of the four endings, ending the film in your mind after each of them, and using your imagination to find out if each would work in terms of the story. Really. There are four endings. What the artist creates is not always conscious. They are each a channel. And so I don't think that the four endings were by design. But they are there. And wonderfully refreshing.

This movie shows way too much of William H. Macy's buttocks. I might have rated this movie higher if we could have gotten an equal amount of Marcia Gay Harden's buttocks. As naggy as she was I'll bet she's fine to see without clothes...like a naked maiden. Macy is always good, otherwise. Morgan Freeman's role was refreshing as a meek, sensitive artist rather than his typical avuncular guy. Christopher Walken is always good but I missed his straight up big hair that he sports on talk shows -- probably not appropriate for this role. Jeremy Lipking's painting, "The Lonely Maiden", grew on me. I'm not the most knowledgeable art apprecianado but it is a piece like this that opens up the mind. I hope it is on its way to terre classique.