SSC 05: Ocean’s 12 (Soderbergh, 2004)

Single Serving Cinema

By examining an infamous, potentially movie-breaking scene in Ocean's 12, Tim and Tay explore just how much of Soderbergh's audacity this franchise can bear before it falls apart.
Ocean’s 12, the second installment in Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s trilogy, finds the gang on the clock to repay their mark from the first film, casino mogul Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). In order to pay back what they stole, with interest, they must oblige François Toulour (Vincent Cassel), the world’s greatest thief, in a competition to steal the Fabergé Imperial Coronation Egg.
Starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Vincent Cassel, Ocean’s 12 premiered on December 8, 2004.

Tagline — Three years ago, they stole 160 million dollars. Now the only thing between their old enemy and their new one is an Ocean.

Ocean’s 12 is available on Netflix and as a digital rental.

Scene (1:25:20 - 1:30:40)

After picking up a frustrated Tess, the remaining Ocean's team (Linus, Basher, and Turk) attempts to prep her for her role as the diversion in their plan. The plan involves her impersonating the actress Julia Roberts to use her star power to get close to the Faberge egg that they intend to steal. In a scene full of meta-commentary, Bruce Wilis appears as himself and threatens to disrupt the plan.

The scene stars Julia Roberts as Tess Ocean (and as herself), Bruce Willis as himself, Matt Damon as Linus, Don Cheadle as Basher, Scott Caan as Turk, and Carl Reiner as Saul.

Links

• 48:22 — the Coen brothers as Virgil & Turk

Note: Most of the background and insight explored in this episode can be heard in the Ocean's 12 commentary with director Steven Soderbergh and writer George Nolfi.

Recommendations

Tim: Riders Of Justice (Anders Thomas Jensen, 2021) — available as a digital rental.

Tay: Behind The Candelabra (Soderbergh, 2013) — available on Crave (CA), HBO (US), and as a digital rental.

All links verified at the time of publication and based on availability in Canada.

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