🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Howard Franklin, Bill Murray
- Genre: Comedy, Crime
- Release year: 1990
- Runtime (length): 1h 29min
- IMDb rating: 6.8/10 (23K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 67%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A clown, a disgruntled girlfriend, and a perpetually confused friend rob a bank, only to discover that New York City itself is the real heist victim.
🍿 Quick Change: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Clown Bank Robbery
Grimm, disguised as a clown, calmly robs a bank in New York City. He takes hostages and makes unusual demands, frustrating the police. His accomplices, Phyllis and Loomis, are cleverly disguised as hostages, ensuring a seemingly smooth operation.

The Chaotic Getaway
The trio successfully escapes the bank with a substantial amount of money. However, their meticulously planned getaway quickly unravels as they encounter a series of bizarre and frustrating obstacles throughout the city. From confused road workers to a cab driver who speaks no English, every turn presents a new challenge.

Escaping New York
As they navigate the city’s absurdities, the police, led by Chief Rotzinger, are hot on their trail. The mounting pressure tests the group’s patience and resourcefulness. The film humorously highlights the difficulties of escaping New York, even with a million dollars.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Grimm (Bill Murray): A disgruntled New Yorker who masterminds a bank robbery dressed as a clown to escape the city.
- Phyllis (Geena Davis): Grimm’s girlfriend and accomplice, who provides cool-headed support during their chaotic getaway.
- Loomis (Randy Quaid): The emotional and somewhat dim-witted accomplice whose antics constantly complicate the escape.
- Rotzinger (Jason Robards): The world-weary police chief determined to catch Grimm and his crew, despite the city’s absurd obstacles.
- Arabic Cab Driver (Tony Shalhoub): A non-English speaking cab driver becomes another obstacle in their complicated escape after the bank robbery.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Grimm: “I wouldn’t… and that’s Mr. Bozo to you.” – Grimm says this calmly to a police officer while holding him at gunpoint during the initial stages of the bank robbery.
- Grimm: “We’re on a mission from God.” – Grimm sarcastically says this to the bus driver when he demands the exact change, referencing ‘The Blues Brothers’.
- Grimm: “Yeah, well, the world’s changed. Now the criminals are in charge.” – Grimm remarks on the state of society after running into the mob.
- Bus Driver: “.48 miles. 22:30 hours. 10:30. Human time.” – The bus driver, after Grimm asks him when they will arrive at the airport, replies with robotic precision, leading to Grimm’s frustration.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $17,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $15,260,154
- Worldwide Gross: $15,260,154
💥 Quick Change Reviews
Personal Review
I love Quick Change! It’s one of those movies I can watch again and again. The scene with Tony Shalhoub as the cab driver who doesn’t speak English is pure comedic gold. The whole movie feels like a love letter to the chaos of New York City. Murray’s deadpan delivery is perfect, and Randy Quaid’s goofiness makes me laugh every time. It’s just a fun, feel-good movie!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Bill Murray’s deadpan humor”
- “Viewers who enjoy heist comedies with a quirky twist”
- “Those who appreciate films that satirize city life”
- “People who enjoy ensemble casts with strong comedic chemistry”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Occasional strong language”
- “Some comedic violence”
- “Suggestive dialogue”
Professional Reviews
- The New York Times: “Quick Change is a quirky, lighthearted caper film that benefits from Bill Murray’s dry wit. While the plot meanders, the ensemble cast and absurd situations create a memorable comedic experience. It’s a fun ride, but don’t expect any deep insights.
- Variety: “Murray and Franklin deliver a film with good comedic moments. The movie does run out of steam by the end, but the laughs are enough to justify the watch. Quaid is good as the emotional slapstick-type buffoon. Davis complements the two with her coolness and eye candy for the male audience.
Audience Reactions
The unexpected cameos and quirky characters made every scene surprising and funny.: Viewers loved the film’s clever humor and the cast’s impeccable comedic timing.
Overall Consensus: Quick Change is a well-liked comedy praised for its humor and the performances of its cast, particularly Bill Murray, and its zany and relatable urban escapism.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “This is the only film directed by Bill Murray, who co-directed with Howard Franklin.”
- “The movie is based on the novel ‘Hold-Up’ by Jay Cronley and is a remake of the 1985 French film of the same name starring Jean-Paul Belmondo.”
- “Filming locations included 117 Sullivan St, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA.”
🖥️ How to Watch Quick Change?
As of today, you can find ‘Quick Change’ available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming options and availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Quick Change, you might like these similar films:
- Dog Day Afternoon (1975): A tense bank robbery unfolds in real-time, focusing on the human drama and escalating chaos, sharing the heist gone wrong theme.
- After Hours (1985): A dark comedy about one increasingly surreal and frustrating night in New York City, mirroring the relentless string of unfortunate events.
- The Blues Brothers (1980): A comedic crime caper with over-the-top situations and memorable characters on a ‘mission,’ reflecting the chaotic energy and humor.
- A Fish Called Wanda (1988): Features a group of quirky criminals involved in a heist with plenty of comedic mishaps and betrayals, delivering sharp wit and memorable characters.
🛒 Quick Change Related Products
- Bill Murray: The iconic comedian’s life and career: This in-depth book explores Bill Murray’s best movies.
- Clown Costume with Accessories: Emulate Bill Murray’s iconic clown costume. Comes with wig, makeup, and more.
- New York City: A Documentary by Ric Burns: This multi-part documentary explores NYC.
- Monk: The Complete Series: Complete collection of this popular TV series.
🎧 Soundtrack
Quick Change features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Quick Change was filmed on location in New York City, capturing the city’s unique atmosphere and iconic landmarks. One notable filming location was 117 Sullivan St, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Yes, Quick Change is based on the novel ‘Hold-Up’ by Jay Cronley. The film is actually a remake of the 1985 French film ‘Hold-Up’ starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, which was also based on Cronley’s novel.
Several factors may contribute to Quick Change being underrated. Despite a strong cast and clever premise, the film didn’t achieve major box office success and might have been overshadowed by other comedies of the era. Some viewers found the pacing uneven, with the initial bank robbery being more engaging than the subsequent getaway.
🔥 Bonus Content
Ninguém acreditou que um 🤡 faria isso …
Want to see one of the craziest scenes from Quick Change? This clip showcases the unexpected heist, and even though it’s in another language, the visuals tell the story. I personally loved the sheer audacity of this moment!
⚡Security Guard’s SHOCKING Response! – Quick Change 1990 Movie⚡#shorts #trending #movieexplained
Ever wondered about that one security guard scene in Quick Change? This short video breaks down his hilarious reaction, I thought this was the funniest part of the movie. Check it out!
Highly intelligent robber poses as a clown and ransacks a bank without realizing it #shorts
Need a quick reminder of what Quick Change is all about? This video gives you the lowdown on the plot. It’s a fun summary, especially if you’re deciding whether to watch the full movie!
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