Small Time Crooks Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An inept crook’s brilliant plan to rob a bank goes hilariously wrong when his wife’s cookie shop, opened as a front, accidentally becomes a multi-million dollar sensation, proving crime doesn’t pay, but pastries do.

🍿 Small Time Crooks: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Ambitious Heist and an Unexpected Cover

Ray Winkler (Woody Allen), an ex-con and small-time criminal, dreams of pulling off one big score. He devises a plan to tunnel from a rented storefront into a bank vault. To avoid suspicion, his wife Frenchy (Tracey Ullman), a former stripper with a knack for baking, opens a cookie shop as a front. Ray enlists his dim-witted pals, Denny, Tommy, and Benny, to help with the digging. While the men struggle with the tunnel, encountering numerous comical setbacks, Frenchy’s homemade cookies unexpectedly become a massive hit, drawing long lines of customers and generating significant buzz.

Accidental Millionaires

As the cookie business, called ‘Frenchy’s Cookies,’ skyrockets in popularity, it overshadows the actual heist. The tunnel operation is fraught with incompetence, leading to accidental breakthroughs into the wrong establishments and general chaos. The success of the cookies becomes so overwhelming that the gang abandons the bank robbery entirely. Overnight, Ray, Frenchy, and their partners find themselves transformed from working-class New Yorkers into multi-millionaires. They establish a cookie empire, with factories and franchises across the country, attracting media attention, including a ’60 Minutes’ interview.

The Burdens of Wealth

Life as newly minted millionaires proves to be a challenge for Ray and Frenchy. Frenchy, aspiring to join high society, attempts to cultivate an image of sophistication by hiring an art dealer and socialite, David (Hugh Grant), to tutor her in culture. She seeks to shed her unrefined past and embrace the world of fine arts, classical music, and gourmet cuisine. Ray, however, remains content with his simple pleasures – watching television, eating junk food, and hanging out with his old friends. Their diverging interests create a growing rift in their marriage, highlighting the adage that money doesn’t always buy happiness, especially when it comes with social pressures and incompatible aspirations.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ray (Woody Allen): The inept small-time criminal who devises a bank heist, only for his cookie-making cover business to become an unexpected success.
• Frenchy (Tracey Ullman): Ray’s unsophisticated wife whose delicious cookies accidentally lead them to immense wealth and a new social standing.
• David (Hugh Grant): A suave but opportunistic art dealer hired to refine Frenchy, who secretly aims to exploit her newfound wealth.
• Denny (Michael Rapaport): One of Ray’s dim-witted and bumbling partners in the ill-fated bank robbery scheme.
• Tommy (Tony Darrow): A loyal but equally incompetent member of Ray’s criminal crew.
• Benny (Jon Lovitz): A former prison mate of Ray’s who joins the bungled heist and later benefits from the surprising success of the cookie business.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Benny: “But, Ray! That was sarcastic!” – Benny bluntly informs Ray that his prison nickname, ‘The Brain’, was meant sarcastically, highlighting Ray’s lack of self-awareness.
• Frenchy: “I’m still in the A’s in the dictionary, but I’m learning a lot of terrific words.” – Frenchy enthusiastically explains her method of self-improvement by reading the dictionary, revealing her earnest yet naive attempts at sophistication.
• Ray: “I just wanna sit on the couch, watch the ball game, and eat a meatball hero!” – Ray expresses his deep dissatisfaction with their new opulent and ‘cultured’ life, longing for the simple, comfortable pleasures of his past.
• Frenchy: “It’s Frances. Frances Fox.” – Frenchy, embracing her transformation into a high-society woman, insists on being addressed by her formal name to distance herself from her working-class origins.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,266,359
• Worldwide Gross: $29,934,477

💥 Small Time Crooks Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Small Time Crooks’! It was such a refreshing change of pace, feeling like a delightful throwback to Woody Allen’s earlier, more overtly comedic films. The idea of a botched bank heist leading to a cookie empire is just comedy gold, and I genuinely laughed out loud multiple times, especially during the chaotic tunnel-digging scenes. Tracey Ullman as Frenchy is a revelation; her transformation from a blue-collar wife to a high-society wannabe is both hilarious and surprisingly endearing. I really connected with their struggle to adapt to their new, unexpected wealth and the silly situations that arose from it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Woody Allen’s earlier, screwball comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy lighthearted caper films”
  • “Audiences interested in social satire and ‘fish-out-of-water’ stories”
  • “Those who appreciate strong comedic performances from Tracey Ullman and Elaine May”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language (some instances of the Lord’s name in vain, as noted by a reviewer)”
  • “Themes of marital strife and infidelity (implied, not explicit)”
  • “Some slapstick violence (comedic, non-graphic)”
  • “Exploration of class distinctions and social snobbery”

Professional Reviews

• Cinema Chronicle: “Tracey Ullman truly shines as Frenchy, delivering a performance that effortlessly matches and, at times, outshines Woody Allen’s comedic timing. Their bickering spouse dynamic, reminiscent of classic farces but with a modern edge, is pure joy. The film has a timeless feel, delivering consistent laughs and showcasing Ullman’s remarkable talent. Her portrayal of Frenchy is nothing short of hilarious.
• Film Journal International: “Woody Allen’s latest offers a comedic premise that starts strong, evoking classic caper films, but struggles to maintain its focus. The narrative shifts abruptly, transforming from a quirky heist into a social satire and then a relationship drama. While Tracey Ullman is a standout, Allen’s own performance feels somewhat muted. It’s an amusing watch, but ultimately a minor entry in his extensive filmography, albeit still more engaging than many contemporary comedies.
• Cinephile Daily: “Small Time Crooks sees Woody Allen revisit his earlier, zany comedic style with refreshing results. The film’s setup is brilliant, showcasing Allen’s knack for intelligent humor and riff-raff details. Tracey Ullman delivers a perfect performance, complementing Allen’s familiar neurotic charm. While it has its narrative shifts, the sharp dialogue and well-developed characters make for a consistently funny and surprisingly charming experience. A must-see for fans.

Audience Reactions

Viewers overwhelmingly loved Tracey Ullman’s comedic genius and the unexpected, wholesome pivot from crime to cookies.: Many audiences appreciated the film’s lighter, classic Woody Allen humor, finding it a refreshing change from his more dramatic works. The fish-out-of-water dynamic as Ray and Frenchy navigate high society resonated strongly, providing both laughs and a subtle social commentary.

Overall Consensus: Small Time Crooks is a generally well-received, lighthearted comedy praised for its strong performances, particularly Tracey Ullman’s, and its amusing take on accidental success and class distinctions.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s central plot device, of a criminal gang attempting to tunnel into a bank from an adjacent storefront, is directly inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story ‘The Red-Headed League’.”
• “Tracey Ullman was personally chosen by Woody Allen for the role of Frenchy because he considered her one of the few comedians who genuinely made him laugh.”
• “Unusually for a Woody Allen film, ‘Small Time Crooks’ contains almost no swearing, a creative choice that distinguished it from many contemporary comedies.”
• “The cinematography was handled by Zhao Fei, known for his work with acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou (‘Raise the Red Lantern’, ‘Shanghai Triad’), giving the film a distinct visual style compared to Allen’s typical collaborations.”

🖥️ How to Watch Small Time Crooks?

Woody Allen’s ‘Small Time Crooks’ is available for purchase or rent on various digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube. You can also find it on DVD and Blu-ray from major retailers, making it accessible for home viewing. While it may occasionally be available on streaming services, direct purchase or rental typically offers the most consistent access to this comedic caper.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Small Time Crooks, you might like these similar films:

• Take the Money and Run (1969): Woody Allen’s earlier, seminal mockumentary about a hopelessly inept and neurotic criminal, sharing the central theme of a charming but ineffective protagonist in the world of crime.
• The Ladykillers (1955): A classic British Ealing comedy featuring a group of eccentric criminals using a seemingly innocent front (a little old lady’s house) for a heist, which goes hilariously awry.
• Trading Places (1983): A comedic exploration of class mobility, wealth, and social roles, where characters experience a dramatic shift in their financial and social status, mirroring Frenchy and Ray’s journey from rags to riches and back.
• Logan Lucky (2017): A modern heist comedy focusing on a group of well-meaning but somewhat dim-witted individuals attempting an elaborate robbery, sharing the lighthearted tone and emphasis on character over slick professionalism.
• Bottle Rocket (1996): Wes Anderson’s quirky debut film about a group of aspiring, amateur criminals and their misadventures, appealing to fans who enjoy character-driven, offbeat comedies with a unique charm.

🛒 Small Time Crooks Related Products

• Small Time Crooks (Collector’s Edition Blu-ray): Experience this quirky comedy in stunning high-definition. This special edition includes behind-the-scenes featurettes, cast interviews, and an exclusive booklet with essays on Woody Allen’s comedic style and the film’s production.
• Frenchy’s Famous Cookies – Authentic Recipe & Baking Kit: Unleash your inner accidental entrepreneur with this fun baking kit, inspired by Frenchy’s unexpected culinary success. Includes a replica of Frenchy’s cookie recipe and key ingredients for a delicious batch, along with a branded apron.
• Woody Allen: The Early Comedies Collection (Digital Download): A curated digital bundle featuring ‘Small Time Crooks’ alongside other classic Woody Allen comedies like ‘Take the Money and Run’ and ‘Bananas.’ Enjoy the evolution of his signature humor anytime, anywhere.
• The Art of the Blunder: Famous Failed Heists and Accidental Successes (Book): A fascinating non-fiction book exploring real-life instances of elaborate plans gone hilariously wrong, leading to unforeseen success or notoriety, echoing the central theme of ‘Small Time Crooks’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Small Time Crooks features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “With Plenty of Money and You” – performed by Hal Kemp

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

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