Roger (Christopher Walken) is a security guard in a museum who spends the day in front of the painting 'The Lonely Maiden' which he admires. He knows so much about the painting he can give an in depth talk about it to the museum visitors. When he is bored he daydreams of saving the museums from armed crooks which is a scene that the film opens with.The rest of the film is underwhelming and low key as Roger finds out that museum is selling its collection to a museum in Denmark. Two other security guards Charles (Morgan Freeman) and George (William H Macy) are just as upset at this decision as they too have a favourite object of beauty at the museum. Moving to Denmark is not a viable option.They decide to steal their favourite pieces and replace it with a copy but it is easier said than done. George who claims to be ex military and who also likes to be naked has the more difficult task when it comes to making the switch.The film is amiable but also forgettable and at times it is just unexciting before it becomes more tense at the latter part of the picture. It is more a light comedy than drama but I could not help thinking that all three leads have made better heist films before such as Walken in The Anderson Tapes and Macy in Welcome to Collinwood.

I can't believe this comedy went right to DVD. When I think of some of the garbage the big studios put out and call comedy, I'm appalled that "The Maiden Heist" did not have a theatrical release. However, I believe the production company went bankrupt.The films stars Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, William H. Macy, and Marcia Gay Harden. Freeman, Walken, and Macy are museum guards. Each over time has become attached to a particular work of art. For Roger (Walken), it's The Lonely Maiden; for Charles (Freeman), it's a portrait of a woman with cats; and for George (Macy) it's the sculpture of an athlete which so consumes him that each time he sees it (thankfully as he's guarding at night) he strips off his clothes and copies the pose.When the three learn that these pieces are all going to Denmark, they devise a plan to switch them with copies. Since they've studied these works and know every subtlety, nothing passes muster, and it takes a while to get everything assembled. Then they volunteer to help pack and take the art to the airport. In a subplot, Roger's annoying wife (Harden) wants to take a trip to Florida, and because of her big mouth, Roger almost doesn't get to be part of the packing-switching. On the actual day of the job, there are some unexpected occurrences.Very funny, fresh comedy with outstanding performances by everyone but Harden, an excellent actress but here, she is over the top. WAY over. She may very well have been directed that way, but that New York accent was overdone. In one of the last scenes in the van, however, she is absolutely hysterical reacting to what she thinks is a surprise planned by Roger.A wonderful movie, a warm film about friendship, and a passion for art among everyday guys. The movie has two endings; you'll think it's over but there's a little more. I really loved it.

Roger Barlow (Christopher Walken) day dreams as security guard in a museum. His big joy is to spend the day in front of the painting 'The Lonely Maiden'. Then he finds out that the new curator is selling many of the works including his Maiden. Other security guards Charles Peterson (Morgan Freeman) and George McLendon (William H. Macy) are in the same boat, and they come up with a scheme to steal their art pieces.This is a marginal comedy. The three guys are great actors, but there aren't that many funny jokes. There's a couple of cute moments. And Macy gets naked. That was weird. It just needs an energetic improvisational comedian in the mix, and a funnier script.

Roger is a security guard who is obsessed by the painting 'The Lonely Maiden' to such an extent that he knows more about it than the museum guides and even fantasises about preventing armed robbers from stealing it. Then one day he learns that the museum has sold it and it is soon to be shipped to Denmark along with every other item in that particular gallery. Roger soon learns that he isn't the only security guard about to lose a beloved work of art; Charles is obsessed with another painting and George likes a nude sculpture so much that he likes to pose alongside it when he thinks he is alone at night! Together they hatch a plan to steal the three works; it won't be easy though; they will have to get three near perfect copies and find a way to switch them during the transfer.This film might not be a classic but it is pretty funny; this is helped by having three genuine stars; Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman and William H. Macy; playing the three leads Roger, Charles and George respectively. They all perform well as does Marcia Gay Harden who plays Roger's wife. As one might expect it is far-fetched but that doesn't matter as is has plenty of laugh out loud moments… not all involving a naked William H. Macy! When the robbery occurs it is moderately exciting although not as exciting as the imagined robbery attempt we see in the opening scene. There is little too offend here, so long as you don't mind seeing a man's bare backside; there was one rather muffled obscenity; certainly less than most films of a similar raring these days. Overall I'd recommend this is you want an entertaining family movie and don't expect too much depth.