Small Time Crooks Review
By Joe Lozito
"Small" Wonder
Woody Allen's mind-bendingly prolific film repertoire comes full circle with "Small Time Crooks", a light comedy of small capers and social satire that scores a few big laughs in the old Allen style of "Take the Money and Run".
Mr. Allen's Ray Winkler may be Virgil Starkwell 30 years later - older, but not much wiser - but Mr. Allen, the writer, has continuously grown, and "Crooks" flows at a brisk confident pace as Mr. Allen's characters climb the social ladder only to realize that they liked it better at the bottom. Along the way, Mr. Allen deftly and subtly poses questions about the definition of style and class in a society defined by the "person with the most toys wins" credo.
"Small Time Crooks" is really three movies, each separated with an unexpected twist that sets the plot rocketing off in another direction. As usual, Mr. Allen surrounds himself with a talented array of performers - most notable this time around are Tracy Ullman as Allen's nagging, social climber wife Frenchy, and Elanie May as her classically ditsy cousin (interestingly named May). Ray and Frenchy's scenes form a loving homage to "The Honeymooners" which only serves to make the film more charming. Also turning in a surprisingly effective sinister turn is Hugh Grant - putting his obvious charms and accent to good use.
It's no wonder that actors constantly vie for roles in Mr. Allen's films. Even a fluffy comedy like "Crooks" seems rich with the same character and life that has defined so many of Mr. Allen's films. "Crooks" proves the only real crime in his career would be if he stopped making them.
