|
Plot Summary
An ageing criminal passes on the
plans of a “Bellini” to a fellow inmate. A “Bellini” is the one
big robbery heist that will make the thieves rich. It is the job that
every thief dreams of, an easy score that will net them hundreds of
thousands of dollars. The story of the “Bellini” gets out in the local
community of Collinwood, Cleveland and a group of inept petty criminals,
each with their own pathetic tale, band together to pull off the robbery.
The gang of clumsy misfits find that it’s not so easy to plan the
robbery never mind trying to carry it out…
Review
This quirky comedy is a remake
of the Italian comedy “Big Deal on Madonna Street”. It has a
silly, slapstick element that mightn’t appeal to everyone but even the
most cynical of viewers will find themselves laughing. As well as the
clumsy slapstick jokes there are also some clever witty lines. Either way
there is plenty of humour. It is quite a short film and doesn’t out stay
its welcome.
Even though the characters are
a bunch of misfit-losers it is hard not to like them. Each of the gang
members has their own misfortunes and they get a certain amount of
sympathy even if they don’t deserve it! Perhaps it is their sheer
desperation to get the money and break free of their poverty in
Collinwood.
The cast do a lot for this
movie. Each plays a part and none of them stand out on their own. It is
the collection of oddball personalities with their own peculiarities and
faults that add a human ingredient to the movie. In the end the human
element comes through when the characters think of the most unfortunate
one amongst them rather than thinking about themselves.
Bottom Line: A funny
quirky comedy that won’t appeal to everyone but is guaranteed to make
you laugh.
Lasting
thought: No matter now bad things get it could be worse!
Reviewed by Niall Quinn.
Premier Movie Reviews 2003
|