Bandits (2001)

Barry Levinson

USA

122 min, color, English

Although it won't be making cinematic history, Bandits is perhaps the most enjoyable Hollywood movie this fall (so far) and has enough wise cracks, good acting, and decent plot to keep one laughing and going for the full two hours of its length. The story follows Joe Blake (Bruce Willis), a traditionally manly, handsome, and determined bank robber and his hypochondriac, less manly, over-thinking and talkative partner in crime Terry Lee Collins (Billy Bob Thornton) as they go on a spree of non-traditional and non-violent bank robberies that get them dubbed "The Sleepover Bandits" because of the way the do them.

Everything goes hunky-dory until a neurotic neglected housewife, Kate Wheeler (Cate Blanchett) literally bursts onto the scene, craving distraction, attention, and maybe a little spice in her life. Going from a self-willed hostage to a partner, she predictably falls for Joe and his rough charms. However, once she finds herself alone with Terry, she quickly discovers that his neuroses are so attractive that she cannot resist them. Ending up between the two, she is unable to choose because together, the two make her "perfect man." I loved the twist not only because I am tired of every woman falling for Bruce (and because it is so damn unlikely that in real life Terry would have a chance) but because the threesome worked quite nicely despite the less than conventional "solution" to their problem.

At any rate, the ending completely took me by surprise and it was a good thing because I would have regretted a dark finale. Having said that, and admittedly given away some of the surprise, let me just say that knowing the ending will not detract from the enjoyment even a little bit. Actually, the frequent forward flashes to their final heist cast a somewhat ominous pall on the story that would have been absent otherwise.

The acting is top-notch and make this a must-see-with-girlfriend-even-if-she-is-a-Willis-nut experience.

November 26, 2001