Small Time Crooks 2000
Certainly there can’t be a movie with such a small gross that’s gotten so many reviews here. I saw it tonight and liked many parts of it while ultimately it was a little disappointing. It started out pretty good, introducing us to an eccentric cast of characters that seemed to have a lot of potential. But most of that cast is abandoned after the first half hour and we get into a triangle with Allen, Ullman, and Hugh Grant. Hugh Grant isn’t much of a character and not even a particularly good schemer. Not many laughs during this phase. They rely too much on some kind of Beverly Hillbilies idea showing how tacky these noveau riche can be. But it isn’t as funny as the Beverly Hillbillies.
I think what happened was Woody had an idea for a film (the first 30 minutes) but couldn’t stretch it out for a full movie. It just has that feeling.
But it is still entertaining and a nice departure from what you might typically think of as a Woody Allen movie. This one is more like one of his movies that he’s not in, which are always my favorites (Purple Rose of Cairo, Bullets Over Broadway).
A nice lite comedy. I give it a B.
Written: 29 May 2000