Heists, Heart, and Kevin Hart: A Sneak Peek Into the Glittering World of The Netflix New Film “Lift

Netflix’s “Lift” is a highly entertaining, fast-paced, glamorous heist movie set within the tradition of my personal favorite heist film Ocean’s 11. The subtly subversive film stars entrepreneur, actor, comedian, and social media influencer Kevin Hart, who takes us on a trip around the world as he, his fashionable and diverse team along with a beautiful woman plot to steal 500 gold bullions.

“Lift” is well done and made, with tight dialogue, several funny parts and action that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. “Lift” showcases the buddy genre as well as the thoughtful and loving criminal characters that you'll see in many popular long-standing Hollywood films like “Mission Impossible” and even the TV show “Friends.” What I also like about this film is that the character leader in the film is a Black man, and when you are paying attention, Kevin’s character Cyrus Whitaker shares relevant social messages throughout the film. For example, Cyrus talks with his love interest and Interpol Agent Abby Gladwell about when he was a child in school, and instead of following along with the traditional educational path by doing what the teacher said, he looked at what the other students were not doing or what problems they were not solving, and Cyrus basically did took the path of most resistance. This is a conversation that takes place quite a bit in my home with my three mixed-race sons where we've had to find other pathways to get the things we need to succeed because of the barriers created by American-style systemic racism. 

"Lift" presents dignity and grace with the other non-white characters in the film. It did not feel like a “race” film which is refreshing. Often, when you see a Black or other person of color in a leading role in a Hollywood blockbuster, you brace yourself, waiting for the stereotype. Kevin Hart in this film, somehow transcends this experience and makes it so that everybody can relate and enjoy, whatever ethnicity or gender you are.

I also love the fact that in this film, Cyrus has a basic, straightforward relationship with an accomplished and non-needy Black woman. There was nothing secretive or snarky or Hollywood stereotype about their relationship. It was ordinary–well except that Cyrus is a genius thief! Anyway, I think this film does a really good job of stretching Kevin Hart's wings and presenting his acting chops in a way that shows he can be subtle and not a total fool. “Lift” also shows that he can be emotional, dramatic, and serious at the same time. I was grateful to see Kevin Hart in this role. But what was even more exciting to me is that Kevin owns part of the film under his own production company Hartbeat. As a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, a Black woman writer, journalist and creator, it was satisfying to see his name there as not just an actor, but as someone who's actively participating in the fundraising, the production, the advertising; Hart is an employer adding wealth, visibility and opportunity to others.

Hollywood has gotten formulaic when it comes to Black actors and heist films. Kevin Hart seems to be pushing the boundaries in “Lift” to make sure that he's not just another formula in a formulaic genre. He succeeds at this and I hope to see a Lift Two. I highly recommend this film as it’s just a lot of fun to watch. Everybody looks great, and I really did enjoy the multi-ethnicity presentation of the characters in the film. If there was one thing I could complain about, it would be that Magnus, who is the ride-or-die hype man character for Cyrus, needed more lines and scenes. He was not the white guy fool character at all. He too had dignity, was engineer-smart, and totally hilarious in his last scene-stealing bit. “Lift” is my five-star fantastic. - JinJa Birkenbeuel