The Mastermind

The events unfold in 1970, a year marked by economic struggle, political unrest, and widespread anti-war sentiment. Small-town life collides with ambitious crime as the era’s social tensions influence characters’ choices and the police response grows as a nationwide pursuit intensifies. The year’s atmosphere of risk and change amplifies the personal stakes in JB’s plan and its aftermath.

Set in the suburban town of Framingham, Massachusetts, the film centers on a local art museum and the tight-knit community that becomes involved when a heist unfolds. The story travels beyond Framingham to Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toronto as JB and his friends try to evade capture and hide the paintings. The museum and the family home anchor the tale, illustrating how ordinary spaces become stages for crime and consequence.

🎯 Ambition

The film centers on JB’s single-minded plan to pull off a major heist, fueled by a hunger for recognition and a chance to escape his ordinary life. His drive blinds him to growing risks and the moral costs of deception. As the plan unravels, ambition reveals itself as a dangerous, self-justifying force.

⚖️ Consequences

The consequences ripple through family, friends, and law enforcement. The theft triggers a clampdown by authorities and alienates loved ones, forcing characters to face the fallout of deceit. The story emphasizes that bold schemes come with real, often painful, outcomes.

🕵️ Deception

JB creates an elaborate lie about his role, manipulating those around him and masking his true intentions. Others grow suspicious as the truth slips through cracks in his story. The tension between facade and reality drives the drama to its breaking point.

🪧 Era & Protest

Set against a backdrop of Vietnam War protests, the film weaves social upheaval into its crime narrative. The public unrest mirrors the private chaos of JB’s life, highlighting how the era’s energy and dissent influence personal decisions and perceptions of authority.