When career criminal (and career idiot) Ray "The Brain" Winkler (Woody Allen)
comes up with the idea to open up a cookie shop (fronted by his wife Tracey
Ullman) near a bank and then tunnel
into the bank's vault, he recruits
some of his closest friends to help...unfortunately they're all as dumb as he
is. (Example: they wear their lighted miner helmets backwards because it
"looks cool".) Despite their collection of low IQ's they still end up
extremely rich. So now with their new money, Tracey wants to learn how to
fit in with high society. She hires art dealer Hugh Grant to educate her
Pygmalion-style, but he has his sights set on stealing Tracey (and her money)
away from Woody. At the same time, Woody misses his old life of crime, so
he hatches a plan to steal a one-of-a-kind necklace at a society party.
SMALL TIME CROOKS is a great film that I've enjoyed it
many times over
the years. I love it when Woody does light-hearted comedies like
this. From beginning to end, the story moves along so quickly, with so
many great small touches, that you can't take it all in with just one
viewing. Excellent cast, wonderful script, very natural camerawork that
fits the story perfectly, quick pace...SMALL TIME CROOKS is simply a joy to
watch. Highly recommended.
Would make a perfect double-feature with
THE CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION.
BIG DEAL ON MADONNA STREET (1958)
