SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hr., 29 Min.
In the summer of 1990, Warner Bros. released this R-rated comedy co-directed by screenwriter Howard Franklin and its star/co-producer Bill Murray. Adapting Jay Cronley’s same-named novel, disgruntled city employee Grimm (Murray) – outlandishly dressed as a clown packing dynamite and a gun, along with his two best friends: girlfriend Phyllis (Davis) and dim-witted Loomis (Quaid), cleverly rob a mid-Manhattan bank in broad daylight. Deliberately, their heist becomes a high-profile media event.
Having disguised themselves among the released hostages, the trio soon find no matter how much they despise New York City, escaping town is still near-impossible. Whether it is in their own disabled getaway car, a taxi with a driver (Shalhoub) who doesn’t comprehend English, or even the city bus that only drives near the airport, numerous mishaps await them.
Prolonging their mad dash to the airport means the world-weary police chief (Robards), whom they outwitted at the bank, is slowly catching up to them. For this elderly cop, nabbing this snarky trio means a welcome victory near the end of his career. Then again, the infuriated local mob may have its own say in the matter.
Grimm: Bill Murray (his character’s first name isn’t revealed)
Phyllis Potter: Geena Davis
Loomis: Randy Quaid
NYPD Police Chief Walt Rotzinger: Jason Robards
NYPD Lt. Dennis Jameson: Richard Joseph Paul
Cabbie: Tony Shalhoub
Skelton: Victor Argo
Johnny: Stanley Tucci
Mario Manetti: Gary Howard Klar
Mr. and Mrs. Edison: Phil Hartman & Kathryn Grody
Motorist/Mugger: Jamey Sheridan
Bank Guard: Bob Elliott
Grocery Cashier: Steve Park
Flower Lady: Teodorina Bello
Guitar-Carrying Bus Passenger: Stuart Rodin
Bus Driver: Phillip Bosco
Russ Crane / Vince Lombino: Kurtwood Smith
Mrs. Crane / Mrs. Lombino: Susannah Bianchi
Notes: Quick Change is Murray’s sole directorial effort. It was also his second box office flop in a decade: the other being 1984’s The Razor’s Edge.
REVIEW:
Powered by this cast’s likability, Quick Change surpasses its flimsy plot – the expedited running time isn’t a coincidence. While this ultra-cynical comedy’s primary quartet (Murray, Davis, Quaid, and Robards) carry Quick Change, it is familiar character actors in small roles who best shine. Specifically, stealing scenes are Tony Shalhoub, Stanley Tucci, Bob Elliott, and, long before playing Red Forman on That 70’s Show, Kurtwood Smith makes crankiness resemble an art form.
As with 1989’s underachieving Disorganized Crime, the premise suffers from this foreseeable problem: why should viewers cheer these exasperated bandits, especially when innocent bystanders/victims are the ones left humiliated? One can surely relate to everyday annoyances in a big city – especially commuters, but glamorizing bank robbery, even in a wacky, non-violent Hollywood style, doesn’t really justify the means. The sole reason this film’s sardonic humor works is how well the cast sells screenwriter/co-director Howard Franklin’s sharply-written gags.
Aside from a series of well-played jabs at New Yorkers, this foul-mouthed heist picture won’t leave a lasting impression. At its best, Quick Change is an amusing trifle.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
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