Take the Money and Run

Take the Money and Run

Year: 1970

Runtime: 85 min

Language: English

ComedyCrime

This comedy follows Virgil Starkwell, a hopelessly inept bank robber portrayed by Woody Allen, as he attempts to become a notorious criminal. The film unfolds as a series of comical mishaps seen through the perspectives of those around him, including his patient wife, Louise. His misguided plans and awkward execution lead to increasingly absurd situations, making for a laugh-out-loud experience.

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Timeline & Setting – Take the Money and Run (1970)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Take the Money and Run (1970). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film's events unfold in a contemporary setting that reflects the social dynamics of the time, emphasizing Virgil's struggles with law and society. Its comedic take on crime and punishment critiques both law enforcement and societal expectations during an undefined modern era. The film embodies the trials of an individual navigating an often unforgiving world.

Location

Prison, City Park, Pet Shop

The movie takes place in various locations, including a city filled with mundane life events and a prison that serves as the backdrop for Virgil's misadventures. The park symbolizes a brief escape from his troubles, where he meets Louise, marking a pivotal turn in his narrative. The pet shop, although briefly involved, illustrates his humorous attempts at crime while highlighting the absurdity of his character.

🏙️ Urban 🏢 Prison 🦍 Animals

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:39

Main Characters – Take the Money and Run (1970)

Meet the key characters of Take the Money and Run (1970), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Virgil Starkwell

Virgil is a socially awkward and comically inept character who struggles with a life of crime. His unintentional blunders in various heists highlight his clumsiness and provide a humorous exploration of failure and ambition. Despite facing significant challenges, such as love, blackmail, and imprisonment, he maintains a relentless optimism that adds depth to his character.

👨‍🎤 Criminal 🤷‍♂️ Awkwardness 💔 Love

Louise

Louise serves as a foil to Virgil, representing the normalcy and affection he yearns for amidst his chaotic lifestyle. Her love for Virgil remains steadfast despite his antics, embodying patience and resilience. She is drawn into his world of escapades, illustrating the challenges faced by those who care for individuals entrenched in misfortune.

💖 Love Interest 🚺 Patience 🎭 Supportive

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:39

Major Themes – Take the Money and Run (1970)

Explore the central themes of Take the Money and Run (1970), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Absurdity

The theme of absurdity permeates Virgil's journey, as his earnest yet misguided attempts at crime consistently lead to humorous failures. From botched heists to clumsy interactions with authority, his character exemplifies the ridiculousness of trying to fit into a world that continually outsmarts him. This encapsulates the comedic essence of the film, contrasting earnest ambition with comedic missteps.

💔 Love and Relationships

The film also navigates the theme of love, particularly through Virgil's relationship with Louise. His quick realization of love reflects a desire for connection that contrasts with his criminal antics. Virgil juggles his feelings for her alongside his chaotic life, which adds a layer of depth to his character—showing the struggle between personal desires and societal expectations.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:39

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with inept protagonists like Take the Money and Run

Stories where hopelessly clumsy characters fail upwards in hilarious fashion.If you liked the hilarious bumbling of Virgil Starkwell in 'Take the Money and Run', you'll enjoy these other movies featuring lovably inept antiheroes. These films find comedy in catastrophic failure, presenting stories of characters whose ambitions wildly outpace their abilities.

absurdsillyquirkylightheartedplayfulsatiricalgoofy

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a hapless protagonist with a goal, often involving crime or ambition, which they are spectacularly unqualified to achieve. The plot unfolds as a series of escalating comedic set pieces, each failure more ridiculous than the last, with little genuine consequence or danger.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on character-based physical and situational comedy derived from incompetence. They maintain a light, playful tone where the protagonist's flaws are the primary source of entertainment, creating a consistent vibe of harmless chaos.

Mockumentary comedies similar to Take the Money and Run

Whimsical parodies that use a documentary style for rapid-fire jokes.Fans of the fake documentary style and satirical humor of 'Take the Money and Run' will find more to love here. These movies parody a genre or institution through a series of rapid-fire, humorous interviews and reenactments, creating a unique blend of structure and silliness.

satiricalquirkymetaplayfulwittyabsurdstructured chaos

Narrative Summary

The narrative is driven by the mockumentary framing device, which allows for a non-linear, anecdotal structure. Characters directly address the camera, and the story is often pieced together through testimonials and comedic reenactments, prioritizing joke density over a tightly woven plot.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared formal approach—the mockumentary style—which directly influences their tone, humor, and pacing. The faux-serious presentation contrasts with the absurd content, creating a specific comedic rhythm that feels cohesive across titles.

Unlock the Full Story of Take the Money and Run

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Take the Money and Run Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Take the Money and Run, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Take the Money and Run Summary

Take the Money and Run Timeline

Track the full timeline of Take the Money and Run with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Take the Money and Run Timeline

Take the Money and Run Spoiler-Free Summary

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Take the Money and Run Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Take the Money and Run

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Take the Money and Run: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Take the Money and Run