Small Time Crooks

Small Time Crooks

Year: 2000

Runtime: 94 min

Language: English

Budget: $25M

ComedyCrime

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.

Small Time Crooks (2000) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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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Farcical caper comedies like Small Time Crooks

Lighthearted comedies about ambitious but flawed plans that hilariously backfire.Discover more movies like Small Time Crooks, featuring comedies about botched heists and ambitious schemes. These films share a lighthearted tone and focus on the humorous fallout of plans gone awry, perfect for fans of cheerful crime farces.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a simple 'plan-gone-wrong' structure. A motivated individual or group, often underdogs, devises a seemingly clever plan that immediately unravels due to their own incompetence or sheer bad luck. The story then focuses on their attempts to manage the escalating chaos, with the journey being far more important than the original goal.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared comedic tone, low-stakes intensity, and focus on farce. They appeal to viewers who enjoy watching characters stumble through absurd situations, where the humor comes from the execution of the plan rather than its success.

Movies about accidental fortune like Small Time Crooks

Stories where characters stumble into wealth and comically struggle with the consequences.If you liked the rags-to-riches story in Small Time Crooks, you'll enjoy these films about characters who stumble into wealth. These movies explore the funny and often challenging consequences of sudden fortune with a lighthearted and optimistic feel.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative arc is a twist on the classic rags-to-riches tale. Characters achieve wealth not through hard work but through a lucky accident or a failed venture. The story then follows their often misguided attempts to fit into a new social class, leading to fish-out-of-water humor and a reflection on what truly matters, usually culminating in a reaffirmation of simpler values.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by the central theme of serendipitous wealth and its lighthearted exploration. They share a vibe of optimistic chaos, where financial windfalls create more problems than they solve, but ultimately lead to personal growth and a happy ending.

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Small Time Crooks Summary

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Small Time Crooks Summary

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Small Time Crooks Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Small Time Crooks

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Small Time Crooks

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