Watch How to Rob a Bank

How to Rob a Bank is a 2007 crime-comedy film directed by Andrews Jenkins and starring Nick Stahl, Erika Christensen, and Gavin Rossdale. The movie takes place largely within a single bank and centers around the interactions between two groups: the bank employees and a group of hapless misfits attempting to rob the bank. The film opens with Jinx (Stahl), a slacker and ironically named petty thief, narrating his life story in a deadpan voice-over. Jinx's narration sets the tone for the film, blending tongue-in-cheek humor with an off-kilter sense of irony. Jinx is introduced as a bored and aimless young man who can't seem to find his niche in life. He spends most of his time lounging around his apartment, smoking weed with his roommate and watching footage of bank robberies on TV.

One day, Jinx finds himself wandering into a small bank in downtown Manhattan. The bank is almost empty, and Jinx begins to feel a spark of excitement. He starts to chat up one of the tellers, a cute and spunky young woman named Jessica (Christensen). Jessica is initially creeped out by Jinx, but the two end up bonding over their shared love of poker.

Meanwhile, a group of amateur bank robbers led by Simon (Rossdale) are assembling outside the bank. Simon and his accomplices are convinced that they've come up with the perfect plan to rob the bank. Their plan revolves around exploiting a loophole in the bank's security system, but as their scheme unfolds, things quickly go sideways. The robbers become increasingly desperate and erratic, and Jinx and Jessica find themselves caught up in the chaos.

What follows is a hectic and often hilarious game of cat-and-mouse. The robbers are armed and dangerous, but they're also bumbling and prone to mistakes. Jinx and Jessica, on the other hand, are initially held captive by the robbers but quickly become co-conspirators in the robbery. The two groups jockey for position, trying to outsmart each other and stay one step ahead of the authorities.

Throughout the film, there's a sense of whimsy and absurdity that permeates the action. The dialogue is clever and sharp, and the characters are all colorful and idiosyncratic. There are moments of tension and danger, but the overall tone is light and irreverent. The film pokes fun at the conventions of the heist genre, but it does so with a sense of affection and admiration.

At its core, How to Rob a Bank is a fun and engaging film that showcases the talent of its cast and crew. Stahl, in particular, is a standout, delivering a droll and deadpan performance that anchors the film. Christensen is excellent as well, bringing energy and charisma to her role as the plucky bank teller. Rossdale is a more limited actor, but he still manages to bring a certain intensity and menace to his portrayal of the ringleader of the robbers.

The film is also visually striking, with director Andrews Jenkins employing a variety of techniques to keep the action fresh and interesting. There are moments of slow-motion, quick cuts, and even animation, all of which add to the film's inventive spirit.

In conclusion, How to Rob a Bank is a highly entertaining crime-comedy that's well worth checking out. It's a clever and engaging film that manages to balance humor and tension in a way that's both satisfying and fun. The performances are excellent, the direction is stylish, and the script is sharp and witty. Whether you're a fan of heist films, comedies, or both, this movie is sure to delight.

How to Rob a Bank is a 2007 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 27.