Widows (2018)

☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Widows (2018) – S. McQueen

I’m not familiar with the original British TV series from the ‘80s that spawned this film but that didn’t reduce my enjoyment (even though or perhaps because it was transposed to Chicago). Liam Neeson is the head of a squad of thieves who get caught by the S.W.A.T. team in their final heist and blown to smithereens.  When those whose money was stolen (and blown up) come calling, the widows of the dead crooks, led by Viola Davis, use a notebook left by Neeson (her husband) to plan a new heist to pay them back.  Michelle Rodriguez and Elizabeth Debicki are the other two widows and Cynthia Erivo joins them as the getaway driver.  Colin Farrell also stars as the classic corrupt Chicago politician (inheriting office from his dad, Robert Duvall) who is competing with the local black gang leaders (Brian Tyree Henry and Daniel Kaluuya) for the seat.  It’s fun because women of colour aren’t usually in these roles and director Steve McQueen makes the most of the set-up – including with some plot twists and turns – but in the end, there’s nothing too deep here.  For thriller fans, something different!