Small Time Crooks is a 2000 film written and directed by Woody Allen, who also stars in the lead role. The film is a comedy that explores the world of small-time criminals and their adventures. 

Plot

The film follows the story of Ray Winkler (played by Woody Allen) and his wife Frenchy (played by Tracey Ullman). Ray is a small-time con artist and low-level criminal who has a series of schemes to make easy money. However, his plans to rob a bank go awry, and Frenchy suggests a different idea: to open a bakery as a cover to dig into its basement and rob a bank from the inside.

Ray and Frenchy start the bakery business, but things take an unexpected turn when the bakery becomes incredibly popular and begins to generate legitimate profits. The couple finds themselves in conflict with the ups and downs of entrepreneurial success, and the dynamics of their lives change significantly.

The plot explores the conflict between Ray and Frenchy as they try to balance their criminal activity and the sudden success of the bakery. The film offers comedic moments and hilarious situations as the characters navigate their new reality.

"Small Time Crooks" is a light and entertaining comedy that reflects on the ambitions and hopes of ordinary people involved in low-level criminal activities.

Complete Cast:

• Woody Allen as Ray Winkler
• Tracey Ullman as Frenchy Winkler
• Hugh Grant as David
• Elaine May as May Sloane
• Jon Lovitz as Benny
• Michael Rapaport as Denny
• Tony Darrow as Tommy
• George Grizzard as George Blint
• Elaine Stritch as Chi Chi Potter
• Brian McConnachie as Paul Milton

Director: Woody Allen

Producer: Jean Doumanian

Writer: Woody Allen

Music: No original score; the film uses pre-existing classical and jazz music.

Cinematographer: Zhao Fei

Production Cost: Not publicly disclosed.

Box Office: Approximately $29.9 million worldwide at the box office.

Awards: It did not receive any major awards, but Elaine May won a National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Critics' Reception: "Small Time Crooks" was generally well-received by critics for its light-hearted humor and performances, particularly that of Tracey Ullman. It is considered one of Woody Allen's funniest films of the 2000s, with a simple but effective plot that explores themes of greed and social aspiration.

My opinion. Entertaining, but nothing more. A few truly hilarious scenes, while, overall, perhaps because so much is always expected of Woody Allen, we only smile.

Actors all good and story that would have deserved more attention in the script. Dialogues at times banal.