Where to watch Held Up
2 Stars
While they’re on vacation in the Southwest, Rae finds out her man Michael spent their house money on a classic car, so she dumps him, hitching a ride to Vegas for a flight home. A kid promptly steals Michael’s car, leaving him at the Zip & Sip, a convenience store. Three bumbling robbers promptly stage a hold up. Two take off with the cash stranding the third, with a mysterious crate, just as the cops arrive. The robber takes the store hostage. As incompetent cops bring in a SWAT team and try a by-the-book rescue, Michael has to keep the robber calm, find out what’s in the crate, aid the negotiations, and get back to Rae. The Stockholm Syndrome asserts its effect.
Before winning an Oscar, Jamie Foxx appeared in films that didn’t always showcase his talent well. Some of these movies, like Bait and Booty Call, are guilty pleasures, while others, like Held Up, are mildly amusing but forgettable with low ambitions. Foxx’s wisecracking and physical energy carry the film, but the screenplay runs out of ideas long before the end. The scenarios and supporting characters’ dilemmas are uninspired, aiming at a sitcom level, and not suitable for a feature length film.
Held Up is mainly held together by Jamie Foxx’s ad-libs and his likable on-screen persona. The film shows influences from movies like Dog Day Afternoon, Cadillac Man, and Quick Change. Held Up has a brief running time, and the actors bring a lot to the thin storyline while director Steve Rash keeps the pace of the film tight. Today, Held Up is an artifact from an era in which a star was still working on projects beneath their talent level. And in this case, it’s clear to see the massive talent of Foxx and the mismatch with the material.
Directed by: Steve Rash
Written by: Jeff Eastin, Erik Fleming, Greg Richards
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Nia Long, Barry Corbin