An art curator gets back at his horrible CEO boss by planning an art heist. Harry is an art curator employed by Lionel, an egotistical bullying boss with a penchant for impressionist paintings. Harry wants to plan the ultimate revenge by conning his boss into buying a fake Monet painting (Haystacks at Dusk). The painting is something Lionel has been coveting for years, since its sister painting, Haystacks at Dawn is already in his possession. He acquired this first Monet at an auction, where he outbid his Japanese rival, Takagawa. He enlists a forger, The Major, and a Texan rodeo cowgirl P.J., to carry out the plan. The rehearsed con is that P.J. is the descendant of a WWII soldier who was able to secure the painting from Nazi hoarders after the war. She will be flown into London to meet with Lionel to finalize the sale, with Harry authorizing the authentication of the painting. P.J. will get half a million Sterling in return. However, when P.J. arrives, things don't exactly go according to plan. For one, since Lionel thinks that Harry is a bumbling idiot, he has hired a German authenticator Martin to replace him. Second, Lionel becomes smitten with P.J., making Harry a little jealous. Harry then tries to get Martin to back out of the job by telling him that Lionel is having business trouble. Meanwhile, Lionel is planning a gala and invites P.J. Harry tells P.J. that the plan is still on track, and she should continue with the con. At the party, Harry goes up to the gallery and triggers the security alert. P.J. follows him, and finds a wild lion (Lionel's favorite icon) that's about to attack. P.J. ropes the lion and subdues it. Lionel arrives to look at P.J.'s painting and announces that Martin is there to do the authentication. Martin says it's the real deal, but Harry objects and starts smudging the painting to reveal that it's a fake. Lionel is very impressed and tells him he's still employed, he then turns to P.J. and condemns her for lying. Harry turns down the job and defends P.J., who sees Harry in a new light. The next day, P.J. is taken to the airport by Harry and the Major and they say their goodbyes. Harry and the Major then go to another part of the airport and meet with Takagawa and they hand him Haystacks at Dawn. He is then wired his payment to a Swiss bank account. Apparently, while at the gallery, Harry had time to switch Haystacks at Dawn with a fake, and the real plan was the acquisition of that painting.
Click here to see the rest of this review...
Best part of story, including ending:
I like the bait and switch aspect done by Harry, who seems very timid and incapable of doing anything risky.
Best scene in story:
When Harry was imagining how sophisticated and suave his con would play out, and then the exact same moments came later, and were the complete opposite.
Opinion about the main character:
Harry conned us all into believing that he is a harmless twit when in fact he is as conniving and ruthless as his boss, Lionel.
