The Score (2001) is a stylish crime thriller directed by Frank Oz, starring three acting legends—Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, and Marlon Brando. Known for its tense atmosphere, clever heist setup, and intense performances, the film is often praised as a masterclass in old-school crime storytelling.
Detailed Summary
Introduction: The Professional and His Last Job
Nick Wells (Robert De Niro) is a seasoned, highly disciplined master thief who operates under one golden rule: never work in your own city. He’s based in Montreal and runs a high-end jazz club as his cover. After years in the business, Nick is ready to retire and live peacefully with his girlfriend, Diane (Angela Bassett).
His old friend and fence, Max (Marlon Brando), convinces him to take on one final job — a job too good to refuse. The target? A priceless, centuries-old French scepter stored in the basement of the Montreal Customs House.
The Young Partner: Jack Teller’s Entrance
Max introduces Nick to Jack Teller (Edward Norton), a young, ambitious thief who has already infiltrated the Customs House by posing as a mentally challenged janitor named Brian. Jack is brilliant but impulsive, while Nick is careful and methodical — a classic “old pro meets young hotshot” pairing.
Nick initially refuses to work with anyone, but the score’s potential payout—over $4 million—changes his mind. The two form an uneasy alliance, each suspicious of the other.
Planning the Heist
The majority of the film builds tension through meticulous planning. Jack has mapped out the building’s security systems and schedules, while Nick handles the technical aspects of the break-in. Their interactions crackle with tension: Jack’s cocky arrogance grates on Nick’s professionalism, and Nick senses that the young thief might have his own agenda.
The Execution: The Heist
The heist sequence is a masterclass in silent tension. Nick breaks into the Customs House through the sewer system, using high-tech tools to bypass motion sensors and heat detectors. Meanwhile, Jack keeps up his act as “Brian,” distracting the security guards.
When the scepter is finally in their hands, Jack betrays Nick — pulling a gun on him and locking him inside the vault. Jack taunts him, thinking he’s left Nick trapped as he escapes with the artifact.
Movie Ending
This is where The Score truly earns its title. As Jack drives away with the scepter, he calls Nick on the phone to gloat. He believes he has outsmarted the older thief. But Nick calmly reveals that he anticipated the betrayal all along.
When Jack opens the case, expecting to see the valuable scepter, he finds nothing but a metal pipe. Meanwhile, Nick—smiling for the first time in the movie—reveals that he switched the real scepter during the heist.
Nick successfully escapes through an alternate route, evading police and security. The final scene shows him embracing Diane, with the priceless artifact in his possession. Jack, now surrounded by police and realizing he’s been double-crossed, is left screaming in frustration.
It’s a perfect ending for a heist film: cool, calculated, and satisfying. The mentor outsmarts the arrogant student.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Score does not have any post-credits scenes. The film ends definitively with Nick’s successful getaway, leaving no sequel hooks or unresolved storylines.
Type of Movie
The Score is a crime thriller and heist film with strong elements of psychological drama. It focuses on realism, tension, and character-driven storytelling rather than flashy action sequences.
Cast
- Robert De Niro as Nick Wells
- Edward Norton as Jack Teller
- Marlon Brando as Max
- Angela Bassett as Diane
- Gary Farmer as Burt
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Howard Shore, known for his later work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The soundtrack has a moody, jazz-influenced tone that complements the film’s noir atmosphere and Nick’s jazz-club lifestyle.
Filming Locations
The movie was shot primarily in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The city’s mix of historic architecture and modern settings made it ideal for the film’s sleek yet grounded atmosphere. Key scenes, including the Customs House heist, were filmed in real Montreal locations, adding authenticity to the movie’s setting.
Awards and Nominations
The Score received mostly critical praise for its performances, especially for Norton’s dual-role portrayal. While it did not win major awards, it earned several nominations in smaller film festivals and critics’ circles for its acting and direction.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Marlon Brando reportedly clashed with director Frank Oz, often mocking him on set and referring to him as “Miss Piggy” (a reference to Oz’s work as a Muppet performer).
- Robert De Niro acted as a mediator between Brando and Oz during filming to keep the production on track.
- Edward Norton came up with much of the mannerism and speech patterns for his “Brian” persona himself.
- The heist sequence was filmed almost entirely with practical effects—no CGI, just old-school stunt work and set design.
Inspirations and References
The movie takes inspiration from classic heist films like Rififi (1955) and The Asphalt Jungle (1950), emphasizing realism and careful planning over Hollywood spectacle. It’s not based on a true story but pays homage to the “one last job” trope made famous by mid-century noir films.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no officially released alternate endings, though early drafts of the script had Jack getting arrested offscreen instead of being caught in the act. Some deleted dialogue scenes between Nick and Diane were also cut to keep the pacing tight.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The Score is an original screenplay and not adapted from a novel, though it shares narrative DNA with classic crime literature like Donald Westlake’s Parker novels and Elmore Leonard’s crime stories.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Jack’s introduction, flawlessly switching between his “Brian” disguise and real self.
- The high-tension vault break-in, featuring minimal dialogue and maximum suspense.
- The final phone call reveal—Nick calmly explaining to Jack that he’s been outsmarted.
Iconic Quotes
- Nick Wells: “There are two kinds of people in this world: those who steal and those who get stolen from.”
- Jack Teller: “You’re old, man. You can’t even see it coming.”
- Nick Wells (final line): “You know what the score is, pal? You’re done.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Nick’s jazz club, “NYC Club,” features several real jazz musicians in cameo roles.
- The number “21” recurs throughout the film—on lockers, time stamps, and even street addresses—a subtle nod to the idea of luck and gambling with one’s fate.
- The scepter’s design was inspired by an actual 17th-century artifact in the Louvre.
Trivia
- This was Marlon Brando’s final film role before his death in 2004.
- Frank Oz reportedly used a stand-in for Brando during some scenes due to their on-set conflicts.
- Edward Norton stayed in character as “Brian” even off-camera during some takes to maintain authenticity.
- The film’s heist setup is often studied in film schools for its use of timing and spatial awareness in editing.
Why Watch?
If you love intelligent, slow-burn crime thrillers with masterful performances and a classic twist ending, The Score is essential viewing. It’s not about explosions or chases—it’s about strategy, psychology, and the timeless thrill of the perfect heist.
Director’s Other Movies
- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
- What About Bob? (1991)
- Bowfinger (1999)
- Death at a Funeral (2007)
