Watch Welcome to Collinwood

Welcome to Collinwood is a 2002 comedy crime film directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, and starring an ensemble cast including George Clooney, Sam Rockwell, William H. Macy, Isaiah Washington, Michael Jeter, Luis Guzmán, and Jennifer Esposito. The film is a remake of the 1958 Italian film Big Deal on Madonna Street. The setting is the near-destitute neighborhood of Collinwood, in Cleveland, where five small-time crooks and hustlers are trying to make a quick buck. The five main characters, including Jerzy (George Clooney), Toto (Michael Jeter), and Basil (Rockwell), come together to plan a heist on a pawn shop. However, their amateurishness and lack of experience in the field makes it hard for them to crack the safe.

As they struggle with their failed plan, they are presented with an opportunity to steal a valuable jade statue from a jeweler, meanwhile, the team is also plotting to rob a nearby jewelry store. They begin to formulate a new plan, but things get complicated when a jailbird, Leon (Isaiah Washington), joins their group and complicates matters further.

The film is a comedy filled with hilarious misunderstandings, unexpected twists, and hilarious shenanigans. The film's focus is not on the heist, but the interactions between the characters, who are all struggling with something, whether it is marital issues, financial difficulties, or past criminal history. One character, Louis (Luis Guzman), is a hapless family man trying to earn money to support his children, but constantly fails at everything he tries.

The film also touches on larger themes, including the consequences of poor decision-making, the hardships of poverty, and the desire to escape the constraints placed on individuals by society. Through their experiences, the characters learn lessons about the fragility of relationships, the importance of trust, and the value of honesty and loyalty.

George Clooney, Sam Rockwell, and William H. Macy form the core of the cast, delivering memorable performances as they navigate their way through the plot. They are joined by a talented supporting cast, including Isaiah Washington as the charming jailbird, Michael Jeter as the unlucky safe-cracker, and Jennifer Esposito as Macy's love interest. They all bring their unique skills to the table and create a dynamic ensemble that is both hilarious and heartwarming.

The dialogue is sharp and witty, and the film is shot in a gritty style that reinforces the harsh reality of life in Collinwood. The soundtrack enhances the film's energetic and comedic tone, featuring a mix of classic and contemporary tracks.

Overall, Welcome to Collinwood is a classic caper film with a lot of heart. It is a story of struggling individuals who come together to try to better their situations, but end up learning more about themselves and each other in the process. It is a film that will make audiences laugh, cry, and cheer for the characters, and it stands the test of time as a timeless comedy that is not to be missed.

Welcome to Collinwood is a 2002 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 61.