Bandits (2001)

Excellent but underrated film

A Disappointing Continuation

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

A movie about bandits robbing banks? Well, in a way Bandits is that. It happens to be more about the couple of guys who are the bandits. That makes it more than a crime caper. This movie pulls you in but hardly due to criminal behavior as it quickly becomes a story of the relationship between two disparate prison escapees. In this way the movie rises to something different, and better.First there's two interesting main characters who play the escapee bandits. The creation of these characters through intelligent and witty writing brings makes their union especially good. What really brings the two to life is the portrayals of these two by Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton. They raise excellent writing to a high level indeed through their individual talent and pure chemistry. Part of the synergy between the two is certainly their often opposite approaches to life. Willis's smoothness is accentuated by Thornton's nervous brainy take on their situation. It's like mixing oil and vinegar and with some added spices a great union results making each better. The great enjoyment of this movie is seeing their diversity coming together in snappy dialog and brilliant answers in the form of their actions. The added spices are quite well realized with their mentally affected driver Harvey played gloriously off-center by Troy Garity and a great lost and lonely female love interest Kate played by the often scene stealing Kate Blanchett. With Willis and Thornton's roles being played out so well it's a high praise that Garity and Blanchett keep up so well. As a viewer the criminal thing is just a vehicle for some quite special characters to unfold around. You will relish their interplay much more than than the crimes they commit I won't spoil the actual story other than to say it's a very good palate in which all involved paint a modest masterpiece of characters you invest in and root for. The ever present thread of comedy is the string that ties it together for pure entertainment.Great colorful characters, a good story (sure there's plenty of holes and not a one that matters), witty and smart dialogue, and nice music seal this deal, director Barry Levisnon wrapped up one fantastic ride!

Bandits (2001): Dir: Barry Levinson / Cast: Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett, Troy Garity, January Jones: Title represents Cate Blanchett and the irony that nobody knows what she is really doing. Flashbacks narrate as Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton are surrounded by police in a bank where hostages are taken. Upon escaping from prison they rob banks using a magic marker. They take bank managers hostage the night before and rob the bank the following morning. This has the media tagging them as the "Sleepover Bandits." They meet Blanchett, a dysfunctional housewife who feels unappreciated by her workaholic husband and bratty children. She joins the bandits for excitement but media see her as a victim. This leads to a very violent climax. Director Barry Levinson plays off the humour effectively. His resume contains such titles as Rain Man and Wag the Dog. Willis and Thornton are well cast with Blanchett in fine comic flair. Blanchett will end up in a romantic triangle with both parties but it is the deception that eventually wins out that keep this film from greatness. Troy Garity plays a brainless stunt guy who acts as their getaway. The big downfall is the idiots they attempt to rob who play off the media. While special effects are familiar, the film points out destructive nature of particular lifestyles as well as the media's ability to exaggerate it. Score: 5 ½ / 10

„Bandits" is a lighthearted comedy about … well , bandits. I can easily picture this movie as western. Anyway this isn't your typical American comedy . The humor here is offbeat and rather odd. It might mot be everyone's cup of tea. The whole movie has a sense of specific boredom in it – nothing really happens , yet the audience isn't bored. The funniest scenes are IMHO Willis and Blanchett talking about Bonnie Tyler's music and Thornton after the car crash.The trio of stars deserves some praise . Bruce Willis is good as the tough guy with good heart. Billy Bob Thornton is brilliant as the hypochondriac robber and so is Cate Blanchett as the frustrated housewife.The movie makes some mild attempts at being a satire at the media , but never really develops that idea. The story is simple and predictable , so is the ending . It doesn't mean that "Bandits" aren't a pleasant way to spend your evening . Just don't expect big laughs and you should have kinda odd sense of humor.I give it 5/10.

It's not a film that's about the direction or the plot or anything technical. This film relies solely on the relationship between it's characters and boy does it succeed. Most of this is due to the great performances from Willis, Thornton and Blanchett who all come together perfectly with hilarious chemistry and they manage to pull the romantic scenes off quite well also. Cate Blanchett is the highlight of the film for me and it's probably my favorite performance of hers just because of how willing she is to just throw herself out there and be as insane as possible. Billy Bob Thornton being cast as the paranoid hypochondriac Terry was the perfect decision, as was Bruce Willis as the intelligent, brutish Joe. Everyone hits their marks perfectly and create a hilarious, entertaining adventure film that I can re-watch over and over again.