In heist flicks, what is being stolen never matters as much as the style with which the deed -- not to mention subsequent double, triple, and quadruple-reverse crosses -- is done. Writer-director David Mamet understands this perfectly and has crafted a very entertaining, very macho thriller. Much has been made of his hepcat slang -- e.g., ''I want you to be as quiet as an ant not even thinking about p -- -ing on cotton'' -- but it's Hackman as the dodgy codger ahead-of-'em-all that provides real pleasure. Remind us again: Why didn't he get an Oscar nomination this year?


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