The Robber

Name: The Robber
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport, Crime
Released: April 29, 2011
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 65

2011

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 7 Ratings

See All

5.9

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

5.9	Your Score
5.9	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 7 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Robber

Now Playing: The Robber

Movie Details & Credits

Kino International | Release Date: April 29, 2011 | Not Rated

Summary: A champion marathoner leads a double life as a serial bank robber, sprinting between fixes (and away from police cavalcades) as many as three times a day. A lean, visceral study of pathological compulsion. (Kino International)

Director: Benjamin Heisenberg

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Sport, Crime

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 90 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Steven Rea

May 27, 2011

Exhilarating and, ultimately, filled with a sense of existential dread. Read full review

Sheri Linden

May 5, 2011

They use dialogue sparingly, powerfully; a talky detective sounds like a visitor from another planet. The world he has encroached upon is defined by the ability to run and the adrenaline-rush threat of capture. Freedom's just another word in this gripping existential portrait. Read full review

Cliff Doerksen

Aug 4, 2011

Writer-director Benjamin Heisenberg serves up a lean and solidly satisfying existentialist thriller. Read full review

Joshua Rothkopf

Apr 26, 2011

Some viewers might give the movie a few extra points for its retro vibe of taciturn badassedness. But little punctures the wall of emotional remove-the pulse rate is way too controlled for entertainment's sake. Read full review

Simon Kinnear

Jan 18, 2015

Propelled by Lust’s performance, this is a fascinating study of solitude and sociopathic obsession, up to a point. Read full review

Mike Hale

Apr 28, 2011

The Robber may have less on its mind than its sheen of seriousness would suggest, but the view is gorgeous. Read full review

Alissa Simon

Apr 26, 2011

With no emotional or stylistic hooks, there's not much compelling viewers to engage with what's happening onscreen. Read full review

SEE ALL 14 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

jmk3438

Aug 31, 2012

great movie....suprised on the neg feedback.. i did enjoy all the twists in the film and most importantly thats its a true story ( as they claim it to be). If you enjoyed "the town" with ben afflick, then you'll definately enjoy this. A marathon runner who has a habit of robbing banks ingreat movie....suprised on the neg feedback.. i did enjoy all the twists in the film and most importantly thats its a true story ( as they claim it to be). If you enjoyed "the town" with ben afflick, then you'll definately enjoy this. A marathon runner who has a habit of robbing banks in order to make a living, very suspensfull.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Nesbitt10

Oct 17, 2013

Adapted from Dennis Prinz's novel, which is based on real events, "The Robber" has all the elements of a penetrating character study. Unfortunately, director Martin Heisenberg doesn't always use those elements to his advantage. The story is about Johann Rettenberger, an AustrianAdapted from Dennis Prinz's novel, which is based on real events, "The Robber" has all the elements of a penetrating character study. Unfortunately, director Martin Heisenberg doesn't always use those elements to his advantage. The story is about Johann Rettenberger, an Austrian bandit/marathoner known as "Pump-gun Ronnie." Heisenberg takes a muted, non-psychological approach to his story, and without much in the way of emotional engagement, keeping viewers engaged is certainly more challenging than need be.

Andreas Lust stars as Johann Rettenberger, a serial bank robber who has spent a six-year bid in prison training as a long-distance runner. After being released from prison, Johann runs into Erika (Franziska Weisz) at the Job Center which helps ex-cons find work. The dialogue makes it clear they've met before, but the narrative annoyingly withholds any connection to their past. Why is the beautiful, well-to-do Erika so drawn to this emotionally distant career criminal?

Ultimately, Johann returns to Vienna and combines his two true passions and what he knows best running and knocking over banks. His dominance on the marathon circuit gets him noticed, as does his daylight bank heists. Notoriously referred to as "Pump-gun Ronnie," after the Ronald Reagan mask he wears and the shotgun he brandishes. To this day, Rettenberger still holds the record time in the Bergmarathon, a world-famous marathon held in the Austrian Alps.

Frustratingly, we never really get a sense of who Johann is or what motivates him. He is expressionless, cold-hearted, and remains distant throughout. Heisenberg's treatment vividly communicates Rettenberger's neurotic defiance and destructive behavior, but that's no substitute for enabling the viewer to become invested in the character's fate. Johann does not let people into his life, and is a blank cipher as to why he leads the life of a bank robber. It is clearly not the money. Maybe it's the rush he gets, or maybe it is an unexplained obsession. The filmmaker leaves it for the viewer to decide. Although Heisenberg tries to suggest the robberies provide Johann with an adrenaline rush similar to that he experiences while running marathons, the character fails to show any sense of pleasure or catharsis that would make this parallel interesting.

Technical aspects of the film are highly impressive, and the incorporation of Johann into actual Vienna Marathon provides a real sense of authenticity. As a matter of execution, the film's last act is undeniably thrilling. Exceptional work by steadicam operator Matthias Biber gives all the chases and action sequences a visceral energy. "The Robber" could have been a great representation of compulsive behavior. As is, it is a rigid film that is technically sound with a fascinating lead protagonist we still know nothing about.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarcDoyle

May 8, 2011

Andreas Lust is interesting in the very unique lead role, but his lack of "humanity" to go along with his manic need to simultaneously keep running and rob banks is a bit too off-putting. It's difficult to relate to the guy - to put yourself in his shoes. Yes, it's based on a true story, butAndreas Lust is interesting in the very unique lead role, but his lack of "humanity" to go along with his manic need to simultaneously keep running and rob banks is a bit too off-putting. It's difficult to relate to the guy - to put yourself in his shoes. Yes, it's based on a true story, but he too machine-like to totally care about. Even his relationship with his love interest is too sterile (on both sides). It's a thrilling story, but could have been MUCH more interesting with more depth to the robber's character.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MorriBey

Jun 25, 2011

Yep. Its enjoyable. If you watched a couple of bad movies beforehand, then, this would certainly be one to watch. Its lacking in narrative and story but I had enough interest to watch it to the end. Its a a bit arty but i could recommend it. Its just that some people may find it boring....ifYep. Its enjoyable. If you watched a couple of bad movies beforehand, then, this would certainly be one to watch. Its lacking in narrative and story but I had enough interest to watch it to the end. Its a a bit arty but i could recommend it. Its just that some people may find it boring....if you like bank robber movies (but no action) and chases (no real action) , then its one to watch,,,,,if you need a strong dialogue and a story..then probably not.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RobinsNest

Dec 13, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Man has been running for 6 years, while in prison for robbery. Gets out, first day commits a robbery. Throughout the film he uses his talents as a long distance runner to keep away from the law. Might be interesting. He hooks up with an old friend? Lover? The daughter of a friend? Who knows; we aren't told. After a few nights she is madly in love with him. He continues to rob and she finds out. Why? He hides the money and his disguise under his bed. Hmmm. Does he really want to be caught? Then he kills his parole officer (after winning a race, with the trophy no less) because the officer tries to help him. (although he never checks in with him, never gets a job, how is he supposed to live)? Oh yeah, at some point in the film the parole officer says he doesn't need money. Why? He takes silly risk after silly risk and for what? Perhaps it's a psychological study of an addiction to the thrill of the chase.
there is no chemistry, I didn't care about the man, there is no one else in the film to want to care about, or even be interested in. The man hardly speaks, nothing about his background, he is wooden as is the girlfriend. Not even it being based on a true story makes it worthwhile. Maybe it should be on the reality show, Worlds Dumbest Crooks.
Perhaps I do not understand the subtle nuances of foreign films. the poorer the film the longer the review. I could write forever. But why bother? Skip it please. better yet, watch it and tell m why it's so good? Even why it's even average?
Attention critics who when they see something that is not the usual fare, it gets raves - the emperor has no clothes!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 5 REVIEWS