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Small Time Crooks (2000) movie poster

Timeline

Small Time Crooks (2000) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2000 · 94 min · English
JustWatch #2,334 40
Starring
Tracey Ullman, Woody Allen
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.

Comedy Crime Cast, crew & box office
On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Small Time Crooks
  6. 6 Categories
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Small Time Crooks (2000)

Where can you watch Small Time Crooks? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Fawesome and Amazon MX Player: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 events in order · contains spoilers

Small Time Crooks Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Small Time Crooks (2000) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. The Robbery Plan

    Ray and Frenchy devise an unconventional plan to tunnel from an abandoned pizzeria to a nearby bank for a robbery. Despite their elaborate preparations, the plan ultimately fails, leading them to a surprising turn of events.

    Where
    Abandoned Pizzeria

  2. Cookie Business Success

    After their robbery plot collapses, Ray and Frenchy unexpectedly find success with their cookie business, which they established as a front for their criminal activities. The business skyrockets in popularity, leading to a luxurious lifestyle they never anticipated.

  3. Hosting the Extravagant Party

    With their newfound wealth, Frenchy decides to throw an extravagant party to celebrate their success. However, this celebration masks her internal struggle with feelings of inadequacy and a desire to elevate her social standing.

  4. Seeking Cultural Sophistication

    Frenchy seeks the assistance of an art dealer named David to help refine her and Ray's image. Despite Ray's hesitance, he agrees to Frenchy's transformation in the hopes of enhancing their social status.

  5. David's Ulterior Motives

    As Frenchy becomes more entwined with David, it becomes clear that he has his own agenda. He is using her desire for social elevation to fund his own artistic ambitions, creating an underlying tension between the three characters.

  6. The Breaking Point

    Tensions reach a critical point as Ray's frustration grows with Frenchy's transformation. Ultimately, Ray decides to walk out on Frenchy, leaving her to navigate her new life alone with David.

  7. Frenchy's European Journey

    After Ray leaves her, Frenchy travels to Europe with David, hoping to immerse herself in arts and culture. This journey appears glamorous, but is underscored by the absence of the support she initially sought.

    Where
    Europe

  8. Financial Ruin

    Upon returning home, Frenchy discovers that her accountants have left her financially devastated, leading to the loss of her cookie business and all her assets. She faces the harsh reality of the consequences of her choices.

  9. Ray's Return to His Old Life

    Back at home, Ray attempts to regain control of his life by reverting to his previous criminal activities. He devises a plan to steal a valuable necklace during an upscale gathering, but things do not go as planned.

    Where
    Upscale Gathering

  10. The Necklace Swap

    In a comical twist, Ray accidentally swaps a genuine necklace for a counterfeit during his theft. When he encounters Frenchy at the same event, she quickly identifies his mistake, showcasing her newfound resilience.

    Where
    Upscale Gathering

  11. Frenchy's Priceless Discovery

    Undeterred by her recent setbacks, Frenchy reveals a priceless cigarette case that once belonged to the Duke of Windsor. She had retrieved it from David after realizing his betrayal, marking a turning point in her fortunes.

  12. Joining Forces

    Recognizing the value of the cigarette case, Ray and Frenchy decide to join forces once again. They agree to sell the exquisite item, setting aside their past conflicts for a chance at a new beginning.

  13. A New Chapter

    With the sale of the cigarette case, Ray and Frenchy look towards the future. They pack their bags and set off towards the sunlit shores of Florida, eager to embrace a fresh start and leave their troubles behind.

    Where
    Florida

Last updated: November 19, 2024 at 20:49

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Timeline questions answered

Small Time Crooks Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Small Time Crooks (2000): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q2

Why did Frenchy feel inadequate about her social status?

After suddenly becoming wealthy, Frenchy became aware that their new lifestyle required cultural sophistication that she and Ray lacked. She felt insecure about not fitting in with high society and wanted to prove she could be refined and elegant.

  • Frenchy
  • inadequacy
  • social status
  • wealth
  • sophistication
  • self-esteem
Q3

What were David's ulterior motives for helping Frenchy?

David was using Frenchy's desire for social elevation to fund his own artistic ambitions. He took advantage of her willingness to spend money on art and culture to finance his career as an artist, rather than genuinely helping her improve her image.

Foreshadowing: David quickly agrees to help Frenchy and shows enthusiasm about expensive art purchases.

  • David
  • art dealer
  • ulterior motives
  • Frenchy
  • betrayal
  • artistic ambitions
Q4

Why did Ray walk out on Frenchy after her transformation?

Ray became frustrated and felt alienated by Frenchy's transformation. She was changing to become more cultured and sophisticated, distancing herself from who she was before. Ray couldn't recognize or accept this new version of his wife, leading him to leave.

  • Ray
  • Frenchy
  • marriage
  • walk out
  • transformation
  • frustration
Q5

How did Frenchy become financially devastated?

After Ray left, Frenchy traveled to Europe with David and spent lavishly on art and culture. When she returned home, she discovered her accountants had embezzled all her funds and left her with nothing, causing her to lose the cookie business, her home, and all assets.

  • Frenchy
  • financial ruin
  • accountants
  • Europe
  • loss
  • assets
Q6

What happened when Ray tried to steal the necklace at the upscale gathering?

Ray attempted to steal a valuable necklace during an upscale event but accidentally swapped the genuine piece with a counterfeit. When he ran into Frenchy at the same event, she immediately exposed his mistake, revealing she still had her sharp instincts despite her fallen status.

  • Ray
  • necklace
  • theft
  • counterfeit
  • swap
  • Frenchy
  • upscale event
Q7

How did Frenchy obtain the Duke of Windsor's cigarette case?

After discovering David's betrayal and manipulation, Frenchy took the priceless cigarette case that belonged to the Duke of Windsor from him. This valuable item became her final asset and provided the means to start fresh.

Foreshadowing: Frenchy had grown suspicious of David's intentions during their European trip.

  • Frenchy
  • cigarette case
  • Duke of Windsor
  • David
  • betrayal
  • valuable item
Q8

Why did Ray and Frenchy decide to get back together?

After Frenchy revealed the valuable cigarette case, Ray and Frenchy recognized they were still a good team and decided to combine their talents once again. They sold the cigarette case for a substantial amount and chose to move to Florida together for a fresh start.

  • Ray
  • Frenchy
  • reunion
  • Florida
  • cigarette case
  • new beginning
  • partnership

Movie threads

More Movies Like Small Time Crooks, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Small Time Crooks tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

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.

  • farcical
  • comedic
  • chaotic
  • lighthearted
  • aspirational
  • misadventures
  • Tone: light, comedic
  • Pacing: steady, event-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: 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 they belong together: 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.

The Wrong Arm of the Law movie poster

The Wrong Arm of the Law

1963
Small Time Crooks movie poster

Small Time Crooks

2000
Who’s Minding the Mint? movie poster

Who’s Minding the Mint?

1967
Loose Loot movie poster

Loose Loot

1953
The Great Muppet Caper movie poster

The Great Muppet Caper

1981
Ask a Policeman movie poster

Ask a Policeman

1939
Crooks in Cloisters movie poster

Crooks in Cloisters

1964
The Great Diamond Robbery movie poster

The Great Diamond Robbery

1954

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.

  • serendipitous
  • aspirational
  • fish out of water
  • comedic
  • optimistic
  • social climbing
  • Tone: lighthearted, optimistic
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: 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 they belong together: 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.

The Fortune movie poster

The Fortune

1975
Laugh and Get Rich movie poster

Laugh and Get Rich

1931
The Fortune Cookie movie poster

The Fortune Cookie

1966
The Jackpot movie poster

The Jackpot

2024
The Jackpot movie poster

The Jackpot

1950
Best of Luck movie poster

Best of Luck

2010
Small Time Crooks movie poster

Small Time Crooks

2000
Just My Luck movie poster

Just My Luck

2006

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Thieves movie poster

Thieves

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Cops and Robbers movie poster

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Categories

Movie Lists Featuring Small Time Crooks

Small Time Crooks appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

View all movie categories
Quirky Small Museum Comedies movies

Quirky Small Museum Comedies

Comedies about running a small weird museum
Elderly Crew Heist Comedies movies

Elderly Crew Heist Comedies

Heist movies with elderly characters

Every angle

Small Time Crooks (2000) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Small Time Crooks in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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