Small Time Crooks – A Delightfully Disconnected Heist

Hey mate, grab a coffee and let’s chat about this Woody Allen flick, “Small Time Crooks.” It’s one of those early 2000s films that lures you in with its quirky charm and, honestly, leaves you with a slightly baffled smile. You know the drill, a bunch of lovable idiots trying to pull off a heist. I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of chaos now and then?

I was kind of reminded of that time my cousin Lars tried to hide his gambling winnings from Aunt Margit by burying them in the garden. Spoiler alert: he forgot where he’d buried them – sounded like everything Ray, played by Allen, would end up doing, right? You really feel the hapless nature of these characters, trying to rob the bank through a cookie shop front. Ridiculous! But in a good way.

And speaking of the star power here, you’ve got the brilliant Tracey Ullman as Frenchy, Ray’s wife. She brings a brash, yet endearing, energy that’s utterly infectious. And Hugh Grant! Always the charmer, even when he’s up to no good. Made me think of a posh version of Ole, our neighborhood mischief-maker back home.

Of course, Allen also directs—and it’s his usual whimsical, New York-centered shindig. Sometimes though, maybe, the film felt a bit like eating a semla in July. You know, fun but slightly out of place. The plot meanders around like a lost Stockholm tourist. But that’s maybe half the fun – unpredictability, like those Swedish summers.

There’s a certain nostalgia here too, a reminder of simpler times, oddball successes, and the idea that not every plan needs to be genius to be entertaining. If you’re in the mood for something that’s both nutty and sort of sweet, “Small Time Crooks” might just do the trick. Sort of like trying a new blend of kaffe that you’re not entirely convinced by, yet find yourself enjoying sip after sip. Cheers!

Check the trailer below