Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Last updated:
October 13, 2024

Ocean’s Eleven is a slick, stylish heist film directed by Steven Soderbergh, packed with a star-studded cast and an intricate, fast-paced plot. It blends crime, comedy, and a whole lot of charm. Let’s dive into the film’s key elements, from critical moments to behind-the-scenes trivia.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Danny Ocean’s Release

The film begins with Danny Ocean (played by George Clooney) being released from prison, immediately revealing his charismatic, smooth-talking nature. As soon as he’s out, he starts planning his next big job: robbing not one, not two, but three Las Vegas casinos in a single night.

Assembling the Team

Danny recruits his right-hand man, Rusty Ryan (played by Brad Pitt), and together they begin assembling a team of highly specialized criminals. This montage of recruitment is one of the film’s most enjoyable sequences, introducing memorable characters like:

Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon), the pickpocket
Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle), the explosives expert
Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould), the financer
Virgil and Turk Malloy (Casey Affleck and Scott Caan), the quarrelsome mechanics
Yen (Shaobo Qin), the acrobat
Saul Bloom (Carl Reiner), the elderly con artist

Each team member brings something unique to the heist, making the preparation phase as entertaining as the main event.

The Plan: Robbing Three Casinos

The target of the heist is Terry Benedict (played by Andy Garcia), the ruthless owner of the Bellagio, the Mirage, and the MGM Grand casinos. Not only is Benedict a business titan, but he’s also dating Tess Ocean (played by Julia Roberts), Danny’s ex-wife. Danny’s motivations become clear—this heist isn’t just about money, it’s also about winning back Tess.

The plan involves disabling the security systems, infiltrating the vault, and making off with $160 million. As you might expect in a heist movie, things get complicated, but the team remains sharp, resourceful, and one step ahead.

The Heist: A Flawless Execution

As the night of the heist unfolds, the team’s meticulously crafted plan begins to take shape. Using an elaborate setup that includes disguised team members, elaborate distractions, and a fake SWAT team, they manage to infiltrate the vault without Benedict suspecting a thing. It’s a thrilling sequence full of tension and clever misdirection.

The Twist: Outsmarting Benedict

In a clever twist, the money is stolen right under Benedict’s nose, and by the time he realizes what’s happened, it’s too late. The fake SWAT team turns out to be part of Danny’s crew, and they make off with the cash in one of the most satisfying reveals in heist movie history.

Conclusion: The Team Gets Away

The team successfully escapes with the money, and Danny confronts Tess, letting her know that Benedict values his money more than her. Tess, realizing this, leaves Benedict and reunites with Danny. The film closes with the team celebrating their successful heist in front of the Bellagio’s iconic fountains, planning their next moves.

Movie Ending

Danny is arrested by Benedict’s goons and sent back to jail for violating his parole, but it’s clear that Danny anticipated this and will serve a light sentence. The movie ends with Danny, Tess, and Rusty driving off together, suggesting a hopeful future for Danny and Tess.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Ocean’s Eleven does not have a post-credits scene. The film concludes with its final shot, and no additional content is shown after the credits roll.

Type of Movie

Ocean’s Eleven is a heist film with elements of comedy, crime, and drama. It’s a fast-paced, lighthearted movie that mixes clever plotting with charismatic performances.

Cast

George Clooney as Danny Ocean
Brad Pitt as Rusty Ryan
Matt Damon as Linus Caldwell
Andy Garcia as Terry Benedict
Julia Roberts as Tess Ocean
Don Cheadle as Basher Tarr
Elliott Gould as Reuben Tishkoff
Carl Reiner as Saul Bloom
Casey Affleck as Virgil Malloy
Scott Caan as Turk Malloy

Film Music and Composer

The score for Ocean’s Eleven was composed by David Holmes, who crafted a funky, retro soundtrack that matches the film’s suave tone. The music mixes jazz, funk, and electronica, contributing to the movie’s cool, stylish vibe. Notable tracks include “69 Police” and “Gritty Shaker.”

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed in several iconic Las Vegas locations, with much of the action taking place in actual casinos:

The Bellagio: Central to the heist, the casino is featured prominently, including its vaults and famous fountains.
The Mirage and MGM Grand: Also owned by Benedict, these casinos serve as additional targets in the plan.

The use of real locations gives the film an authentic Las Vegas feel, grounding the elaborate heist in the glitzy, high-stakes world of Sin City.

Awards and Nominations

Nominated for Best Sound Editing at the Academy Awards.
Won the ALFS Award for Director of the Year (Steven Soderbergh) at the London Critics Circle Film Awards.

While Ocean’s Eleven didn’t rack up many award wins, it remains highly regarded for its ensemble cast, direction, and pacing.

Behind the Scenes Insights

George Clooney pranked his co-stars by replacing Brad Pitt’s car with a more modest vehicle.
The cast frequently hung out together in real-life, contributing to their on-screen chemistry.
Don Cheadle’s character, Basher, speaks with a Cockney accent, which Cheadle worked hard to perfect (though some Brits found it less than convincing).

Inspirations and References

The film is a remake of the 1960 film of the same name starring Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. While both films share the basic premise of a heist in Las Vegas, the 2001 version modernizes the plot with faster pacing, a more elaborate plan, and a sharper focus on character dynamics.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While there are no major alternate endings, there were several deleted scenes that expanded on the relationships between the crew members. One deleted scene features a longer introduction to Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon) that highlights his skills as a pickpocket.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While Ocean’s Eleven is not based on a book, it does pull inspiration from the 1960 movie. The remake deviates by giving more complexity to the heist, a sharper sense of humor, and a more emotional connection between Danny and Tess.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The iconic scene where the team watches the Bellagio fountains after the heist.
The fake SWAT team entering the vault to “retrieve” the stolen money.
Linus learning the art of distraction from Rusty at the poker table.

Iconic Quotes

Rusty: “You’re either in or you’re out. Right now.”
Danny: “Tess, you’re with me on this?”
Basher: “We’re in Barney. Barney Rubble. Trouble!”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The name Benedict may be a subtle nod to the word “Benedict Arnold,” a famous traitor, reflecting his ruthless nature.
Brad Pitt’s character, Rusty, is always eating in nearly every scene, a running gag throughout the movie.

Trivia

George Clooney reportedly gave up a portion of his salary to ensure the film could afford its star-studded cast.
Don Cheadle was uncredited in the film due to a billing dispute.
Brad Pitt’s constant eating was suggested by Pitt himself, as he thought Rusty wouldn’t have time for a proper meal given his busy lifestyle.

Why Watch?

If you love clever, fast-paced heist movies with charm and humor, Ocean’s Eleven is a must-watch. It combines a compelling ensemble cast with a smart, satisfying plot that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)