Bandits
(2001)
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Following a spur-of-the-moment escape from an Oregon prison, macho ladies man Joe Blake (Bruce Willis) and sensitive, hypochondriac Terry Collins (Billy Bob Thornton) become the best-known thieves in the country. Deemed "The Sleepover Bandits," Joe and Terry add a twist to conventional bank robberies by taking the bank manager hostage the night before the heist and accompanying him/her to the bank first thing in the morning. With the help of Joe's cousin, Harvey J. Pollard (Troy Garity), a simple, aspiring stuntman, "The Sleepover Bandits" rob their way down to southern California with hopes of making it to Mexico. Joe and Terry's partnership and friendship is tested, however, when they each fall in love with Kate Wheeler (Cate Blanchett), an unhappy, unappreciated housewife who deems herself their hostage and ultimately finds herself attracted to both men. Directed by Barry Levinson (DINER, RAIN MAN, WAG THE DOG), this somewhat quirky comedy features fine performances from Willis, Thornton, and Blanchett and is a nice departure from the average buddy film. Levinson's framing of the story through the reports of a true-crime show is particularly interesting. |
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Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton play a modern-day Butch and Sundance in this thoroughly enjoyable (if utterly nonsensical) comedy drama from Barry Levinson. The stars portray charismatic bank robbers who earn the nickname of “sleepover bandits” because of their habit of casually kidnapping bank managers the night before a job. However, their modus operandi is complicated when they both fall for a woman (Cate Blanchett) they take along for the ride. The film is at its best when Willis and Thornton are exchanging witty banter and the two actors, sporting increasingly laughable hairpieces, certainly enjoy themselves.