‘Small Time Crooks’ Disappointing Film

Mon., June 19, 2000

Rachel Rickard Lewis & Clark

Woody Allen’s performance in “Small Time Crooks” (rated PG) is nothing more than a big-time flop.

The moments of comedy sprinkled through the film don’t offer enough comedic satisfaction for it to be considered a comedy.

The plot spins through a number of crazy and wild coincidences that quickly grow boring and cliched. With an attempt to break into a bank, the cookie business that serves as a front for the burglary becomes a huge success and makes Woody Allen’s character a millionaire.

The stupidity of the characters drove me nuts. The beginning of the film was quaint, but the plot developed in such a zigzag fashion I grew tired of never feeling as though the plot was taking me anywhere.

The touching love story between Woody Allen and Tracy Ullman merely intensified my annoyance. Their relationship was horrible before they became millionaires. There was no on-screen chemistry, and the awkward physical combination was not funny enough to be considered a comedic tactic.

Although Ullman and Allen possess the talent to carry their characters, they were oddly matched. I questioned the casting from the beginning.

While the other characters were perfectly suited for the parts they played, they didn’t work together. I was surprised and disappointed at the same time.

This unfortunate Hollywood flick shows that Woody Allen’s directing abilities should focus on more serious works like his previous films.

Grade: D-

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