The Robber is a adrenaline pumping heist film that chronicles the infamous true life crime spree of Austrian marathon runner ‘Pump-gun Ronnie’ who on an endorphin rush takes down several banks solely by himself. Interestingly enough director Benjamin Heisenberg opts for a minimalistic approach to plot which make the film feel like a mix between two different kinds of movie. On one hand, you have the hardened criminal lifestyle that Johann Rettenberger (Andreas Lust) finds himself in the middle of contrasted by a fairly mundane existence. This in turn gives meaning to his addict fueled impromptu robberies which are really what is at the heart of this film. In an oddly restrained portrait of a conflicted criminal, The Robber delivers a sense of dread as a human display of fireworks slowly dies out.
Our introduction to Johann is delivered in a single tracking shot as he runs laps in an infinite loop shielded from the outside world by large imposing walls. This reinforces the detachment our protagonist experiences with the people around him, muting all distractions to focus on the endorphins generated by his running. Rettenberger has proved to be an ideal prisoner and is released on bail despite not having much waiting for him in the outside world. As soon as he’s thrown back into the mix, he immediately decides to rob several banks with nothing else but a mask, shotgun and speed. After the crime spree, he enters into the national Austrian marathon as a amateur and shatters local records leaving him in a dilemma to abandon the criminal life in order to pursue a guilt free life as a runner.
But old habits die hard leaving Johann yearning for the next rush whether that be intensive marathon or running full speed from the cops closing in on him. There is a question of motive that remains a mystery as little motivation is revealed in exposition as to why Johann would commit such crimes with no fear of repercussion. It’s a deliberate emotional device that the director uses to explore the reasoning behind Johann’s criminal nature. After meeting a woman Erika (Franziska Weisz) who seems to be a childhood friend, though it’s not really explained, finds his one solace and chance for redemption.
The Robber is a solid and somber examination of a true life criminal phenomenon. The final 45 minutes of this film are astounding in terms of taught suspense and is merit alone for the price of entry. It shows the true heart of the film which is to explore a man’s limit when pushed to the maximum physical breaking point. It also feels like an epitome to a misunderstood individual who could have been a world champion but instead succumbed to a physical temptation he could not deny. While sometimes feeling aimless, The Robber succeeds in creating a character that you want to understand but by the end realize that some things are beyond comprehension.
8 out 10
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