Bart Layton Talks About His New LA Crime Drama and the Changing Landscape of Filmmaking
Bart Layton Explores Complex Narratives in Upcoming Film Crime 101
Award-winning filmmaker Bart Layton gained recognition with his 2018 feature debut, American Animals, which blended documentary techniques with a narrative centered around a botched art heist. The film received mixed reviews at the U.S. box office, particularly for its portrayal of American youth. Layton reflects on the response: “I’m not sure as many people saw it as I would have loved. But what was kind of surprising about that film was that I guess — certainly for actors — it was admired. And so, I guess they loved it enough to want to connect with me and work with me.”
Two years later, Layton found inspiration during a challenging period as he battled COVID-19. “I had lost my sense of taste. The last fun thing there was to do was eat and drink,” he recalls. Amid this struggle, he received a short story that resonated deeply. He describes it as capturing “a sort of sun-bleached quality” reminiscent of thoughtfully crafted films from the ’80s and ’90s. This sparked the idea for his latest project, Crime 101.
Set to be released next month, Crime 101 is generating excitement for its star-studded cast, featuring Chris Hemsworth as Mike, a solitary jewel thief along the Pacific Coast Highway. Unbeknownst to him, his life will soon intertwine with Lou (Mark Ruffalo), an old-school cop, and Sharon (Halle Berry), an insurance broker connected to wealthy clients. Layton aims to create a sprawling, atmospheric LA noir reminiscent of the style of director William Friedkin.
“I think because I decided on this idea of these three — and at times four — characters on a collision course, they each then became their own movie in a way,” Layton explains. He emphasizes the importance of developing each character’s narrative, ensuring that audiences remain invested until their stories culminate.
Regarding the casting process, Layton adopts a straightforward approach. “I have this sort of, ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get’ mentality,” he states, sharing how he secured the involvement of actor Nick Nolte for the role of Mike’s fence. “With that character we were like, ‘Well, what if it was someone like Nick Nolte?’ and then we thought, ‘Well, why don’t we ask him?’ He read it and said yes. So, I guess there was something about the script that people thought was exciting.”
Layton notes a scarcity in the production of character-driven dramas, stating, “Are they mainly on Netflix? I’m not sure. But don’t you feel like some of those movies don’t exist anymore?” This lack of offerings likely contributed to the allure of his script, drawing in Oscar-nominated actors such as Monica Barbaro, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Barry Keoghan for supporting roles.
The filmmaker is particularly eager for audiences to see Hemsworth in an unconventional role. “I think one of the things that maybe will be really most surprising or gratifying about the film is people seeing how brilliant a performer Chris is,” Layton remarks. The director aimed to shift Hemsworth’s physicality to convey a different persona, adjusting aspects such as posture and even hair color to create a grounded character.
Similarly, Halle Berry embodies Sharon, a woman navigating her male-dominated workplace while striving for deserved recognition. “Halle is at a particular point… where she is pretty comfortable in her skin,” Layton notes. He explains that Berry identified with the character’s intelligence and her struggles against being perceived merely for her looks.
Berry’s resonance with Sharon’s character reflects broader themes within the narrative. The film explores the tension between beauty and professional recognition, drawing parallels to cultural trends. Layton intends for Crime 101 to be more than just a character study; he aims to deliver an action-packed cinematic experience. “I really wanted to offer something for a cinema-going audience that felt like a treat,” he concludes, with hopes of delivering a film that promises excitement alongside its strong performances.
