A gem of a movie. The same idea as the original Ladykillers, but has been effectively transplanted from 1955 England to the 2000 southern United States. Visually interesting with lots of color. A diverse group of characters with many fun interactions among them. Even the minor characters are fun to watch - how about the young lady followed through the casino by Wayans/MacSam. Of course, the soundtrack and music are great. But Tom Hanks really didn't fit the role of the Professor, although he was probably needed to help the movie at the box office. Tim Currie would have been my choice. I also thought the changing expressions on the husband's picture over the fire place detracted from the movie. Fun to watch.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Ordinary Decent Criminal
(2000)
Good movie
6 April 2005
This was a fine movie, of the type that American film makers seem utterly incapable of making these days. The characters and plot were believable, there was a good sense of place (you got a nice sense of being in Ireland), it had many moments of (believable) excitement and suspense, and the ending was interesting and amusing. I enjoyed the technique the film maker used to splice the planning of the various schemes with the the execution of the schemes. The relationship between the character played by Mr. Spacey and his "two wives" was tittilating without being pornographic, as it was incorporated into his family situation. The parts on the way the police handled the gang were treated with amusement, rather than an expose-style, try-to-shock-us approach. It says something about Hollywood style films these days that Mr. Spacey and Ms. Fiorentino had to go all the way to Ireland to make it.
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