Small Time Crooks

USA, 2000. Directed by Woody Allen. Woody Allen, Tracey Ullman, Hugh Grant, Elaine May, Elaine Stritch, Michael Rapaport.

A typically moral and wryly amusing tale from Allen, here appearing as Tracey Ullman’s dumb husband. He’s a small-time crook whose plan to rob a bank with a bunch of fellow misfits fails but in so doing inadvertently brings riches (legally) to the couple by launching Ullman’s home-baked cookie business. As one might expect, there’s plenty of laughs along the way and Allen’s writing once again generously gives some of the funniest lines to others than himself. It’s worthy of note that this film features three great performers rarely seen these days – Ullman (who steals the film) and those two great Elaines, May and Stritch. Not the funniest film he’s ever made, but there’s a lot here to keep you amused.