The Almost Perfect Bank Robbery

Endearing, fast-paced offspring of Raising Arizona (1987) and "actual events", this jinxed comedy debuted on US tv during the dog days of summer when everyone I know was still on vacation. Please be home the next time it's aired.

Filmed several years earlier at a moment in history when it would've been hyped as a Brooke Shields/Rip Torn vehicle, "The Almost Perfect Bank Robbery" will one day be known as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dylan Walsh's commanding performance.

A catchy score, richly-detailed comic touches in every scene, great attention to the peculiar supporting cast (at least five of whom were huge fun to watch in Radioland Murders), and the genial spoofing of our fondness for mall openings and "Wheel of Fortune"--none of the above would've kept me glued to the tube if it weren't for the adhesive that Dylan Walsh's performance applied to all that silliness.

He created a character SO earnest and SO focused (in perfect contrast to his scatterbrained sweetheart) that purely in sympathy I HAD to take the movie as seriously as he took his caper. While the rest of the cast diverts our attention with comic vignettes, all the suspense, all the credibility, and our only hold on this runaway train of a plot--it's all to be found on Walsh's face and in his body language. As the pressure builds, he lets us see his confidence begin to crumble, just a little at a time, while laboring to hide his feelings from everyone else.

Brooke Shields's lie-detector scene will make you laugh out loud (good acting, great writing), but Walsh's lie-detector scene will make you sweat. Does any actor since Peter Lorre do pure anxiety better than Dylan Walsh?

The director, who clearly enjoys drawing our attention to so many visual details, was right to comment that his movie was "almost" perfect; no movie is perfect if it can't manage a scene in a car without yanking the rear-view mirror. I HATE that! We've overcome the difficulties of ceilings and wall-to-wall carpeting, but in this age of Industrial Light & Magic, why oh why is it still so hard to show us the rear-view mirror?

This is one of the few films where the characters have accents that don't sound phony. And that is not all that is in good order with this charmer. A variety of portrayals characterizing southern personality types is funny in itself. The plot is very simple and places more responsibility on acting and integration of other film making elements to create a valid viewing experience. From the sound and music to clothing and sets, it all fits. While there is nothing unpredictable about the Almost Perfect Bank Robbery, nothing is offensive either. A good example of what can be done without a large cast and production crew to create a first class picture. I loved it and wish it was a little longer so I could enjoy it more.

When I sat down to watch "The Almost Perfect Bank Robbery" here in 2021, I have to admit that I had never even heard about this movie before. I stumbled upon the movie by random luck and saw that the movie had Brooke Shields in the lead role. And with it being a movie that I hadn't already seen before and having Brooke Shields on the cast list, of course I took the time to watch it.

As it turned out then writer Adam Greenman and director David Burton Morris didn't exactly manage to churn out a particularly exciting or interesting movie here. So the movie did fall somewhat short of managing to provide me with much of any entertainment.

The storyline told in "The Almost Perfect Bank Robbery" was just a swing and a miss, and the plot just never was appealing to me. So my interest in the movie was quickly fading as the movie trotted on and on. And the bland character gallery didn't really help much to sell the movie either.

The acting in the movie was also bland, especially since the actors and actresses had nothing to work with in terms of a proper script, storyline or characters. Sure, the movie can be watched solely because of Brooke Shields is in it, but if you're watching movies for a proper entertainment aspect, then "The Almost Perfect Bank Robbery" is not a great choice.

My rating of "The Almost Perfect Bank Robbery" lands on a generous three out of ten stars.

While this clearly isn't the greatest movie ever made,it sure is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Brooke Shields doesn't get the credit she deserves for her talent,and even Rip Torn does a good job here. One big reason for most people to rent or buy it in the blow-out bin (I paid $1.25) at a discount store is that there is no violence in the movie,no sex scenes,and no foul language. I don't have any kids,but I suspect the people who do and who want to pick a movie the whole family can watch and enjoy will appreciate the harmless fun in this movie. Their choices have to be pretty slim,so this one would be a good one to recommend to your friends who do have young children.

I accidentally ran into this movie while fixing my TV/computer. I saw Brooke Sheilds all dolled up in an eccentric outfit and started giggling. It took only a few minutes for her and the other actors to actually charm me into watching this film. I was confused as I had no recall of it being a theatrical release. I then checked here at IMDb and found out it was a TV movie! What a waste! It should have been released in theatres! It really has charm, comedy, suspense, warmth, and excellent performances and fine direction. There are some films that have memorable performances and these folks really dug in and made these characters a riot.

It's too funny and I won't give out spoilers. It doesn't have any sleaze or violence but it has those characters you would see in an episode of 'Cops'. Well worth the purchase and rental. A real unexpected treat. Anyone saying Brooke Shields can't act should be taken out back and beaten with a half roasted buffalo hoof.