mitchellross-76525
The amount of bad reviews for this movie shocks me. Saying it's unrealistic or boring. Yes, of course ts unrealistic, just like 90% of other movies; but it's not supposed to be taken seriously. It it neither a serious thriller or a hilarious romantic comedy so don't review it like it's one or the other. It is a lighthearted funny crime movie with twists that often aren't predictable. The acting by all parties is terrific. If you go in not expecting anything but an enjoyable 100 minutes of screen time, then you will love it.
moonspinner55
Serio-comic adaptation of Elmore Leonard's crime novel "The Switch" features a scenario that is well played-out by now: unhappily married woman, whose wealthy husband is a cheat and a swindler, is kidnapped by amateurs who ask for a million dollars in ransom; her husband, being a heartless snake with no morals, is reluctant to pay it. Well-cast but rather ungainly production, with both a direction and screenplay by Daniel Schechter that weaken as the film progresses, leading to an uninteresting final act. Jennifer Aniston and Tim Robbins are excellent as the couple in question, but Will Forte is wasted as a weak-kneed Lothario and Eric Alan Edwards' cinematography is disappointing, with cheap green-screen shots that give the picture a TV-movie feel. ** from ****
punishmentpark
Based on an original story by Elmore Leonard, with some characters who also appeared in Tarantino's 'Jackie Brown', plus a promising cast. More than enough to get me interested. To a point, 'Life of crime' didn't disappoint; the comedy aspect is played down a lot, and the 'vibe' is pretty much like a sincere crime film with plenty of intelligent twists and turns.But it doesn't work as well as it should have, somehow. The opening is promising, but it certainly isn't an acting-, and / or dialogue-palooza like 'Jackie Brown' was. It seems like the magic was missing. Most of it was rather bland, if not boring. The final twist reminded me of how this should have surprised me in every next scene. Not Robbins, not Aniston, not Bey, not Hawkes, not Boone Junior, nor Forte convinced me (most of the time), though much should be blamed on the writers and the director, in my opinion. Fisher was most convincing, by the way, even if I never got to see her "big'uns"...5 out of 10. Nice soundtrack, though, especially that solo bass guitar.
Victoria Weisfeld
This 2014 comedy slipped into and out of theaters this fall faster than a rumor. It's based on Elmore Leonard's novel, The Switch. Directed by Daniel Schechter, it features Jennifer Aniston (Mickey), Mos Def (Ordell), John Hawkes (Louis), and a strong supporting cast. (Several characters, including the two male leads were revisited in Quentin Tarantino's considerably more violent Jackie Brown, based on another Elmore Leonard novel, Rum Punch.) Much more The Ransom of Red Chief than Fargo, Life of Crime is about a kidnapping gone wrong. Louis and Ordell snatch trophy-wife Mickey only to find out her husband (Tim Robbins) is on the verge of divorcing her anyway. If they carry out their threats to kill her, they'll save him millions in settlement costs.Much of the humor comes from the bumbling characters who muddy the kidnappers' scheme. They've sought the help of a Nazi-loving nut case (Mark Boone Junior) who has a spare room where they can stash Mickey, and she is pursued by a hapless and creepily smitten tennis club dad (Will Forte). The only sharp knife in the drawer is the husband's new girlfriend (Isla Fisher), who's just too smart for her own good. Critics mostly objected to the film's relatively low energy, lack of real menace (played more for comedy than chills), and perhaps the false expectation of Jackie Brown/Tarantino-style violence.(Trivia note: The title may have been changed from Leonard's original because Aniston starred in a totally different comedy titled The Switch in 2010, and in an eruption of self-referential promotion, the DVD for Life of Crime included previews for both The Switch and Jackie Brown.)
AD
