Watch Small Time Crooks

Small Time Crooks is a 2000 comedy film written and directed by Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Tracey Ullman, Hugh Grant, Michael Rapaport, Elaine May, and Jon Lovitz. The film tells the story of a group of small-time crooks who decide to rob a bank in a seemingly perfect plan that goes awry when they accidentally become millionaires.

The story begins with Ray Winkler (Woody Allen), a career criminal and a amateur jazz musician, who dreams of being a millionaire but is satisfied with his humble lifestyle as a petty thief. His wife, Frenchy (Tracey Ullman), a former stripper, is equally content with their modest apartment and their simple lifestyle. However, their lives take an unexpected turn when Frenchy sees an empty storefront in Manhattan and comes up with an idea to turn it into a cookie shop. After some reluctance, Ray agrees to go along with the plan.

Despite their lack of knowledge about business, the couple hires a group of "experts" to help them with the cookie shop, including a security guard named David (Hugh Grant), who soon becomes Frenchy's lover. Meanwhile, Ray plots to dig a tunnel from the basement of the cookie shop into a nearby bank, hoping to steal a large sum of money. However, things take a turn when the cookies prove to be a huge success, and the business becomes incredibly profitable.

As Ray and Frenchy become millionaires overnight, they become increasingly out of touch with their old friends and former criminal associates, including Benny (Michael Rapaport), Ray's dim-witted nephew, and Tommy (Jon Lovitz), a shifty businessman. The Winklers soon find themselves in unfamiliar territory, surrounded by wealthy elites who scorn their lack of culture and taste.

Small Time Crooks is a comedy that explores the themes of greed, social class, and the American dream. Woody Allen's witty script and sharp humor provide a satirical commentary on the capitalist society that values material wealth and superficiality over genuine human connection.

The film features strong performances from the entire cast, with Woody Allen reprising his signature neurotic persona as Ray Winkler. Tracey Ullman shines as Frenchy, delivering a performance that is both hilarious and heartwarming. Hugh Grant gives a memorable turn as the philandering art dealer David, while Michael Rapaport and Jon Lovitz provide comic relief as Ray's dim-witted accomplices.

The film's pacing and direction is classic Woody Allen - witty and fast-paced, with quick-cut scenes and snappy dialogue. The film's visual style is reminiscent of classic Hollywood comedies, with vibrant colors and stylized compositions.

Small Time Crooks is a delightful comedy that showcases Woody Allen's talent for crafting humorous and insightful narratives. The film's exploration of wealth, class, and the American dream is as relevant today as ever, making it a timeless classic.

Small Time Crooks is a 2000 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 69.