Year: 2000
Runtime: 94 min
Language: English
Budget: $25M
A lovable ex-con and his manicurist wife devise a far-fetched plan to quickly get rich. Their ambitious, but flawed, scheme involves a bank heist that quickly goes wrong, leaving them with unexpected and chaotic consequences. The comedy follows their misadventures as they navigate the fallout from their ill-conceived plan.
Get a spoiler-free look at Small Time Crooks (2000) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In a sun‑baked suburb where ambition collides with everyday drudgery, the film paints a world that feels both familiar and absurdly heightened. The streets hum with the low‑key chatter of local businesses, while the modest homes hide dreams that are larger than life. A light‑hearted, almost breezy tone keeps the audience laughing even as the characters stumble from one ridiculous situation to the next, turning ordinary missteps into a cascade of comedy.
Ray is a smooth‑talking ex‑con with a knack for charming his way out of trouble, and Frenchy, his spirited wife, works as a manicurist whose bright optimism belies a deep desire for a more glamorous existence. Their partnership is a blend of witty banter and heartfelt devotion, each feeding off the other’s hopes while constantly teasing the line between realism and far‑fetched fantasy. Together they share a single, irresistible goal: to break free from their modest means and seize the kind of wealth that seems reserved for a lucky few.
Their solution comes in the form of an ambitious, if not downright reckless, get‑rich‑quick plan that centers on a daring bank venture. The scheme’s scale and audacity promise the glittering lifestyle they crave, but the very nature of the plan ensures that chaos will inevitably follow. As their ill‑conceived plot begins to wobble, the comedy deepens, highlighting the couple’s resilience, the quirks of their social circle, and the unpredictable twists that arise when lofty dreams meet reality. The story hints at a roller‑coaster of misadventures, leaving the audience eager to see how this unlikely duo navigates the fallout of their bold, if misguided, aspirations.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 12:40
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