Customer Reviews

Crime Spree

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't know how I stumbled onto this DVD, but my blind purchase (I do that sometimes) was a success. There are some moments in this movie that are laugh-out-loud funny. All of the French actors in this film are legends in France for one reason or another (some of them are famous music artists) and the nearly always excellent Harvey Keitel and Abe Vigoda also star.

The French thieves appear to be bumbling idiots at first, but despite appearances they get it together as the movie progresses, so don't expect non-stop slapstick humour. The laughs are sometimes in the more subtle situation-comedy moments. There are some tense and surprisingly violent scenes too. At times the script was clichéd ("you must either be brave or very stupid to be here") and I also felt like a better editor could have salvaged some of the jokes (and punchlines)...there were a few times where there were pauses before or after a joke that felt a bit too: oh i see, you want me to laugh now, right?. I also dislike the premise in movies, where everyone is a potential traitor (which is a cheap and easy way for allowing lots of plot twists to complicate things).

The DVD: Nothing except for the director & producer commentary, which is, by the way, very interesting. And I don't mean that in a good way. I advise you to NOT listen to the commentary, because you may suddenly notice a lot more flaws in the film that more seasoned directors (who, granted, probably would have bigger budgets) would have not let go unnoticed. The director/writer Brad Mirman is not a dumb guy, but he's clearly inexperienced and perhaps a bit too pleased with his (debut?) film -- ie. 'oh I love this next scene'.

Look past my complaints, this film has a fresh and funny approach on a tired (mafia & fish out of water) theme, with funny and inspired performances all round. Recommended.

An amusing crime-based comedy that runs the gauntlet of robbery, murder, blackmail, and a surprisingly amusing phonesex moment. The acting is wonderfully done, one the best roles I believe Abe Vigoda has been offered.

Gérard Depardieu, Harvey Keitel, and Renaud pull off their characters flawlessly, which is saying something because they're dark characters that are injecting some serious comedy.

In the end, everyone involved with this movie should definately be proud of their effort, because it's definately worth seeing.

A hillarious spoof of the Godfather, et al with Harvey Keital as a mobster, and Gerard DePerdeau as french crook trying to get back to France alive, after he and his co-horts accidently kidnap mobster keitel. WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED truly a funny movie






ABOUT MOVIE:
These guys were given one last chance to pull off a job without screwing up. Guess what happened? Chicago's biggest mob boss doesn't like being robbed, and he's out for blood. So are the guys whose car got stolen as the gang's getaway vehicle. And then there's the dirty federal agent and the double-dealing crime lord who handed them the assignment. If they get out of this alive, it'll be a miracle. A mob hit starring Harvey Keitel ("Pulp Fiction") and Gerard Depardieu ("The Man in the Iron Mask.")

Crime Spree is brilliant parody of many film genres (crime/mafia, fish out of water, comedy of errors). The performances by Gérard Depardieu (Daniel Foray), Albert Dray (Raymond Gayet), Johnny Hallyday (Marcel Burot), and Renaud (Zero) were excellent.

If you enjoyed watching likeable wannabe crooks bumble around in movies like "Snatch" and "Lock, Stock, and two Smoking Barrels," this movie belongs in the same bin. Not as good in my opinion, but still really funny.

A bunch of entry-level criminals from France can't ever do anything right, so their boss sends them to Chicago for one last chance at a big job. This job goes worse than their previous work, and they find themselves at odds with the Chicago mafia (led by Harvey Keitel and Abe Vigoda) and a street gang.

The plot is not as twisted and surprising as other movies, but it's original as far as I can tell. You might guess at what is going to happen if you are one of those types trying to figure it out, but at least you won't feel like you are watching something you have already seen, and you will laugh all the way. On the other hand, people like me will be thrilled all the way.

This movie had me on the floor. I can't remeber the last time I laughed so much watching a comedy. Gerard is hysterical and Harvey Keitel is a fantastic. The story is very clever. A group of dim-witted French thieves are sent to Chicago to steal a necklace and end up going to the wrong house and robbing the head of the mafia (Keitel). From there things get worse as our French heros struggle to get out of the windy city and find their way home. There are several scenes where you'll find yourself laughing out loud... especially when Keitel calls
his number one on the phone (see the movie and you'll know what I mean). The acting is great and the cast seems to have had a great time making it. All in all, this film does exactly what it's supposed to do: Entertains and makes you laugh.

God, this movie is funny.

There is one thing I would like to point out: Many people refer to this as a foreign film, and I guess technically it is since it was made by a Canadian company, but I feel this is misleading and many people will think it is a foreign language film, when it is not. The first few minutes of the movie are in French with English subtitles, but after that the entire movie (except for one scene) is in English.

I have to say that making an English-speaking film with French actors was a gamble - but it was a gamble that pays off big-time. These guys are so funny they reduce you to tears. Crime Spree is a unique twist on an old genre. I highly recommend it for everyone who like to laugh.

CRIME SPREE (2003), is an acquired taste for some viewers,
considering has limited commercial potential in the USA, from the
fact that at least 2 French music superstars - Johnny Halliday and
Renaud - are absolute, total unknowns anywhere else than in France.

Because musicians are trained in music, and not acting, most
viewers' may also shy away from renting this DVD, if not for the
sometimes difficult accents of the actors when they read their
lines.

The DVD benefits from the well-accepted and legendary actors Harvey
Keitel, playing a caporegime/ pesonovante in the Chicago area, and
Gerard Depardieu - both with millions of fans internationally,
bringing their natural presence to the work. Abe Vigoda, often
typecast as a soldier in the mob ( Puzzo's Godfather) or as the
number 1, in this work, is also present.

Focusing on the Chicago area underworld of Black and Hispanic
gangs, Italian mob, corrupt FBI agents, the movie has no goal in
limiting itself to a rabid, close-minded crime story.

Rather, there's a 50/50 fusion of comedy, satire, lighter moments
throughout the picture, some gags more effective than others, joined
with the necessary other serious ones in the story, so as to not
disrespect the viewers who are there not for the humor, but for the
tense, thrill and action aspects. So, the film packs entertainment
for both publics, the serious and the silly minded, the masculine
and the feminine combined into one.

The DVD consciously made a point of being stylish, classy in a
certain sense perhaps from its European roots. e.g. perhaps 30 or
more scenes of Paris, and as many in Chicago, of famous landmarks,
are shown, suggesting a international cooperation or fraternity
between America and France, at least in the underworld.

Of course, the required controversial elements are introduced, such
as strip clubs, peep shows, pistols and shotguns, switchblades,
muggings, baseball bat assaults. The movie also is resolute in its
decision in only showing 1970's vintage American cars driven by the
gang members, as if to perpetuate a certain stereotype that's sunk
into the minds of the cinephiles.

The soundtrack is as talented and discerning in its selections as is
are the styling visuals, emphasizing the entertainment and "feel
good" aspect of the overall work.

Crime Spree at first sounds like a serious crime drama, yet after you watch it you will not think so. It's about a bumbling group of French thieves who are sent to the US to pull of a heist that will set things straight for their boss back in France. I won't give any more plot details away, (save that for the box), but it certainly is funny. I wasn't thinking it was going to be as funny as it was, but I laughed almost through the entire film. The most surprising thing is that these were genuine laughs, not forced as with most comedies these days. Crime Spree is a fresh look at a genre that has grown very tiresome. Highly suggested for fans of crime gone awry films and for anyone looking to laugh a few hours away. The DVD doesn't offer anything other than a trailer and commentary.

This is one of the funniest crime caper movies I have ever seen. I rented it last night with some friends and we were howling. We actually rewinded the movie in a few spots to watch scenes again because they were so funny. The director does an excellent job balancing between belly-laugh comedy and heart-pounding action. I agree with the reviewer below - the eye-ball shot is brilliant -- as are many other action shots in this film. The casting was wonderful and I take my hat off to the French actors for doing such a good job in English. If you are a comedy fan then this movie is a must see!