Bandits (2001)

Director:

Barry Levinson

Writer (WGA):

Harley Peyton (written by)

Release Date:

12 October 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Two's Company, Three's A Crime.

Plot:

Two bank robbers fall in love with the girl they've kidnapped.

Plot Keywords:

Bank Manager | Bored Housewife | Hypochondriac | Prison | Inmate

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 4 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Bruce Willis	...	Joseph 'Joe' Blake
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Terry Lee Collins
Cate Blanchett	...	Kate Wheeler
Troy Garity	...	Harvey 'Dog' Pollard
Brian F. O'Byrne	...	Darill Miller
Stacey Travis	...	Cloe Miller
Bobby Slayton	...	Darren Head
January Jones	...	Claire / Pink Boots
Azura Skye	...	Cheri
Peggy Miley	...	Mildred Kronenberg
William Converse-Roberts	...	Charles Wheeler
Richard Riehle	...	Larry Fife
Micole Mercurio	...	Sarah Fife
Scott Burkholder	...	Wildwood Policeman
Anthony Burch	...	Phil
Sam Levinson	...	Billy Saunders
Scout LaRue Willis	...	Monica Miller
Tallulah Belle Willis	...	Erika Miller
John Evans	...	Ralph
John Harrington Bland	...	Flamingo Desk Clerk
Cindy Goldfield	...	Debbie Day Cosmetics Conventioneer #1
Heather Mathieson	...	Debbie Day Cosmetics Conventioneer #2
Erin-Kate Whitcomb	...	Debbie Day Cosmetics Conventioneer #3
Kim Bogus	...	Bend Bank Teller
Michael X. Sommers	...	Policeman
Rich Sickler	...	Policeman
Michael Birnbaum	...	Desk Sergeant
Joe Unitas	...	Detective
Rick Shuster	...	L.A. Chopper Pilot (as Richard Shuster)
Jennifer York	...	L.A. Reporter
José Guillermo García	...	Local Youth
Alfred De Contreras	...	Mexican Priest
Peter Weireter	...	S.W.A.T. Commander
Kerry Kilbride	...	Male Debater
Jane Velez-Mitchell	...	Female Debater
Mia Lee	...	Los Angeles Anchor
Louis Mullen-LeRay	...	Band Member (as Louis LeRay)
Peter Hutchison	...	Band Member
Maya Rossi	...	Band Member
Joan Palmateer	...	Bank Teller
Giulio Magnolia	...	Butler
Rose Aispuro	...	Bank Hostage
Carrie Casano	...	Bank Manager
Jaye K. Danford	...	Alamo Bank Manager
Darryl D. Stewart	...	Detective
Greg Wilmarth	...	U.S. Marshal
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Norman Fessler	...	Alamo Bank Hostage (uncredited)
Ethan Hoyt	...	News Reporter (uncredited)
Tia Hunnicutt	...	Hero Hostage (uncredited)
Rocky LaRochelle	...	Tomales Bank Manager (uncredited)
Troy Martin	...	Assistant Coroner (uncredited)
Amy Maxwell	...	Pretty Young Teller (uncredited)
James Olea	...	Bar Patron (uncredited)
Peter Quartaroli	...	Detective (uncredited)
John-Clay Scott	...	Cement Truck Driver (uncredited)
Sven-Ole Thorsen	...	Oregon State Prison Guard on Watchtower (uncredited)
Sherrie La'Marr Wheeler	...	Debbie Day Cosmetics Conventioneer #4 (uncredited)

Directed by
Barry Levinson

Writing credits (WGA)
Harley Peyton		(written by)

Produced by
Ashok Amritraj	....	producer
Jim Andrino	....	co-producer
Michele Berk	....	producer
Michael Birnbaum	....	producer
Stephen J. Eads	....	associate producer (as Stephen Eads)
Freddie Glusman	....	co-producer
David Hoberman	....	producer
Barry Levinson	....	producer
Patrick McCormick	....	executive producer
Harley Peyton	....	executive producer
Arnold Rifkin	....	producer
Lenny Vullo	....	associate producer
Paula Weinstein	....	producer
David Willis	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Christopher Young

Cinematography by
Dante Spinotti

Film Editing by
Stu Linder

Casting by
Ellen Chenoweth

Production Design by
Victor Kempster

Art Direction by
Dan Webster

Set Decoration by
Merideth Boswell

Costume Design by
Gloria Gresham

Makeup Department
Lynne K. Eagan	....	makeup artist: Mr. Thornton (as Lynne Eagan)
Deborah K. Larsen	....	makeup department head (as Deborah Larsen)
Emanuel Millar	....	hair department head (as Emanuel 'Manny' Millar)
Emanuel Millar	....	hair stylist: Ms. Blanchett (as Emanuel 'Manny' Millar)
Gerald Quist	....	makeup artist: Mr. Willis
Morag Ross	....	makeup artist: Ms. Blanchett
Nikoletta Skarlatos	....	makeup artist
Michelle Weiss	....	key hair stylist
Amanda Williams	....	makeup artist
Marlene D. Williams	....	hair stylist: Mr. Willis (as Marlene Williams)
Joani Yarbrough	....	hair stylist: Mr. Thornton
Gretchen Davis	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Cheryl Eckert	....	assistant hair stylist (uncredited)

Production Management
Blair Daily	....	post-production supervisor
Kate Kelly	....	production supervisor
Lenny Vullo	....	production manager
Steven Wayne	....	production supervisor: second unit

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Aaron Barsky	....	first assistant director: second unit
Anne Berger	....	second assistant director: second unit
David Cass Jr.	....	first assistant director: second unit (as David Cass)
Phil Hardage	....	second assistant director: second unit
Anna E. Hayward	....	second assistant director: second unit
Josh McLaglen	....	first assistant director
Conrad E. Palmisano	....	second unit director
Rich Sickler	....	second assistant director (as Rich T. Sickler)
Jay Smith	....	first assistant director: second unit
W. Scott Wolf	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Charisse Cardenas	....	set designer
Raymond Consing	....	storyboard artist
Kevin Cross	....	set designer
Jeffrey DeBell	....	greens person
Erin Fite	....	art department production assistant
David Gabrielli	....	construction foreman (as Dave Gabrielli)
Chad Hagaman	....	assistant property master
Dale Haugo	....	paint foreman
Reginald Hendrix	....	storyboard artist
Al Hobbs	....	set designer
Sean Mannion	....	property master
Mark Palmer	....	on-set dresser
Raymond Prado	....	storyboard artist (as Raymond G. Prado)
Kathy Rosen	....	assistant set decorator
Marvin Salsberg	....	construction coordinator
Tommy Samona	....	lead man
Abigail Sheiner	....	art department coordinator
Bruce G. Smith	....	paint foreman
Chris Zimmerman	....	stand-by painter
Richard F. Anderson	....	first assistant property master (uncredited)
Ellis J. Barbacoff	....	props (uncredited)
Pedro Barquin	....	greens foreman (uncredited)
Victoria Carlson	....	painter (uncredited)
Martin Charles	....	graphic designer (uncredited)
Ken Erck	....	set painter (uncredited)
Gilbert Johnson	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Richard Lambert	....	location leadman (uncredited)
Ryan T. Mennealy	....	set dresser (uncredited)
John Oster	....	local construction coordinator (uncredited)
John Root	....	scenic artist (uncredited)
Kathleen Rosen	....	buyer (uncredited)
Robert H. Winn	....	scenic foreman (uncredited)

Sound Department
Lisa Chino	....	dialogue assistant
Ronald G. Cogswell	....	production sound mixer (as Ron Cogswell)
Travis Crenshaw	....	sound re-recordist
Tony Eckert	....	foley mixer
Teresa Eckton	....	sound effects editor (as Terry Eckton)
Coya Elliott	....	sound effects assistant
Robert Fernandez	....	sound recording engineer
Andrea S. Gard	....	foley editor (as Andrea Gard)
Lora Hirschberg	....	sound re-recording mixer
Tom Johnson	....	sound re-recording mixer
John Keating	....	stereo sound consultant: DTS
Mary Helen Leasman	....	foley editor
Frank 'Pepe' Merel	....	foley mixer
Al Nelson	....	sound effects editor
Jonathan Null	....	dialogue editor
Marcie Romano	....	assistant supervising sound editor
Ronald G. Roumas	....	sound re-recordist (as Ron Roumas)
Susan Sanford	....	foley editor
Christopher Scarabosio	....	sound designer (as Chris Scarabosio)
Larry Schalit	....	dialogue editor
Michael Silvers	....	supervising adr editor
Steve Slanec	....	dialogue assistant
Jules Strasser	....	boom operator
Ed Thacker	....	recording engineer
Dennie Thorpe	....	foley artist
Jana Vance	....	foley artist
Karen G. Wilson	....	foley editor (as Karen Wilson)
Christopher Barnett	....	stage engineer (uncredited)
Tom Caton	....	boom operator (uncredited)
Brian Chumney	....	digital sound technician (uncredited)
Robert Eber	....	production sound mixer (uncredited)
Gabriel Guy	....	sound mix assistant (uncredited)
Gary Holland	....	boom operator (uncredited)
Joe Michalski	....	additional sound (uncredited)
Jay Patterson	....	production sound mixer: second unit (uncredited)
George Peterson Jr.	....	sound re-recordist (uncredited)
Kurt Peterson	....	utility sound (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Thomas L. Bellissimo	....	special effects coordinator (as T. 'Brooklyn' Bellissimo)
Frank Iudica	....	special effects foreman (as Frank Iudica Jr.)
Shannon J. Thompson	....	special effects foreman (as Shannon Thompson)
Werner Hahnlein	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Malia Thompson	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Keith O. Wilson	....	special effects assistant (uncredited)
Thomas Zell	....	special effects technician (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Derek Ledbetter	....	visual effects

Stunts
Robin Lynn Bonaccorsi	....	stunts (as Robin Bonaccorsi)
Joey Box	....	stunts
Jacob Chambers	....	stunts
Terry Jackson	....	co-stunt coordinator
Conrad E. Palmisano	....	stunt coordinator
Russell Towery	....	stunts
Bruce Paul Barbour	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Jill Brown	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Joe Bucaro III	....	stunts: camera man (uncredited)
Jerry L. Buxbaum	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Dana Dru Evenson	....	stunt double: prison guard (uncredited)
J. Armin Garza II	....	stunts (uncredited)
Mark Hicks	....	stunts (uncredited)
Scott K. Hills	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Terry Jackson	....	stunt double: Bruce Willis (uncredited)
Hubie Kerns Jr.	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
David LeBell	....	stunt double: Harley Rider (uncredited)
Gene LeBell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Fred Lerner	....	stunts (uncredited)
Ted Moser	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Kerry McCullen Palmisano	....	stunts (uncredited)
Victory Palmisano	....	stunts (uncredited)
Pee Wee Piemonte	....	stunts (uncredited)
John-Clay Scott	....	stunts (uncredited)
Kevin Scott	....	stunts (uncredited)
Lori Seaman	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Gary J. Wayton	....	stunt performer (uncredited)
Harry Wowchuk	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Colin Anderson	....	Steadicam operator: "b" camera
Glenn Brown	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Richard J. Cartwright	....	still photographer (as Richard Cartwright)
Will Dearborn	....	camera loader
Mark Figueroa	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Pat Fitzpatrick	....	assistant lighting technician
Chris Gordon	....	dolly grip
Brian Hamill	....	still photographer
Gary Jay	....	camera operator: "a" camera (as Gary Jay III)
Ian Kelly	....	video assistant
Kevin J. Lang	....	rigging chief lighting technician
Duane Manwiller	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
E.J. Misisco	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera (as E.J. Misisco Jr.)
Jeffrey W. Petersen	....	chief lighting technician
Alberto S. Ramos	....	dolly grip (as Albert Ramos)
Richard Redlin	....	second company grip
Donald Reynolds Jr.	....	rigging key grip (as Don Reynolds)
Scott M. Robinson	....	key grip (as Scott Robinson)
John M. Stephens	....	director of photography: second unit (as John Stephens)
Chris Wagganer	....	second video assistant
Steve Craker	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Chris Cuevas	....	second assistant camera: additional camera (uncredited)
Jim Duggan	....	best boy rigging grip (uncredited)
Andrew Dumas	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)
Shawn Ensign	....	company grip (uncredited)
Rick Fee	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Bruce 'Sarge' Fleskes	....	rigging electrician (uncredited)
Bryan Gilbert	....	rigging grip (uncredited)
Edward A. Gutentag	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Steve Hastings	....	best boy rigger (uncredited)
Greg HecQ	....	grip (uncredited)
Julie Helton	....	additional film loader (uncredited)
Scott C. Keys	....	rigging electrician (uncredited)
Gary A. Kilgore	....	rigging grip (uncredited)
Craig Kvinsland	....	electrician (uncredited)
Duane Manwiller	....	additional Steadicam operator (uncredited)
Paul J. Morra	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Andi Ruane	....	grip (uncredited)
Greg Schmitt	....	grip (uncredited)
Kurt E. Soderling	....	aerial director of photography (uncredited)
Kurt E. Soderling	....	camera operator: "a" camera, second unit (uncredited)
Kurt E. Soderling	....	director of aerial photography (uncredited)
Joel Stirnkorb	....	grip (uncredited)
Mark Strasburg	....	first assistant camera: "c" camera (uncredited)
Shannon Summers	....	grip (uncredited)
Kieran Waugh	....	electrician (uncredited)
James WilderHancock	....	grip (uncredited)
Giovanni Zelko	....	set lighting technician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Judith Bouley	....	additional casting: Northern California
Emily Dunlap	....	additional casting: Portland
Wendy Weidman	....	casting associate
Emily Dunlap	....	extras casting (uncredited)
Angela Fee	....	extras casting assistant (uncredited)
Susan Funk	....	extras casting assistant (uncredited)
Michelle Levitt	....	casting associate: San Francisco (uncredited)
Amy Maxwell	....	extras casting assistant (uncredited)
Steve Waters	....	extras casting assistant (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mitchell Ray Kenney	....	costume supervisor (as Mitchell Kenney)
Adrienne Manhan	....	costume supervisor: women
David Mayreis	....	costumer
Nancy McArdle	....	costume supervisor: women
Eva Prappas	....	costumer
Lori Stilson	....	costumer: Mr. Willis
Toby Bronson	....	set costumer (uncredited)
Philip Maldonado	....	costumer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Blair Daily	....	additional editor
Dale E. Grahn	....	color timer (as Dale Grahan)
Thomas M. Harrigan	....	assistant editor (as Thomas Harrigan)
Jason Joseph	....	first assistant editor
Bob Shugrue Jr.	....	assistant editor (as Robert F. Shugrue Jr.)
Susanne Schiebler	....	assistant editor (uncredited)
John Sellars	....	colorist (uncredited)

Music Department
Michael T. Andreas	....	music editor (as Mike Andreas)
Pete Anthony	....	conductor
Pete Anthony	....	orchestrator
Konstantinos Christides	....	orchestrator
Sandy DeCrescent	....	music contractor (as Sandy De Crescent)
Marylou Eales	....	music coordinator (as Mary Lou Eales)
Christian Klikovits	....	additional music score recordist
Allan Mason	....	executive music producer
Chris McGeary	....	supervising music editor
Jonathan Price	....	additional music score recordist
Jasper Randall	....	score coordinator
Joel Sill	....	executive music producer
Richard Stewart	....	assistant music editor (as Rick Stewart)
Christopher Young	....	orchestrator
Samantha Barker	....	assistant to composer (uncredited)
Larry Campbell	....	musician (uncredited)
Holly Amber Church	....	score coordinator (uncredited)
Peter Doell	....	score recordist (uncredited)
Mark Eshelman	....	scoring crew (uncredited)
Jason Lloyd	....	scoring crew (uncredited)
Jonathan Price	....	score producer (uncredited)
Pat Weber	....	scoring technician (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Morris Aroesti	....	transportation coordinator
Ted Moser	....	transportation coordinator
Terry R. Owens	....	production driver
Gene Ward	....	transportation captain
Bruce Callahan	....	driver (uncredited)
Mark Dobrogowski	....	transportation office coordinator (uncredited)
Anthony S. Loguzzo	....	picture car coordinator (uncredited)
Jeff Woodward	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Coleen Aiello	....	assistant accountant (as Coleen 'Co-Co' Aiello)
Daniel Berkowitz	....	production assistant (as Dan Berkowitz)
Bill Cain	....	first aid
Richard Castro	....	payroll accountant
Ann Christman	....	production secretary
Sachi Cunningham	....	assistant: Mr. Levinson
Richard Davis Jr.	....	assistant location manager (as Richard Davis)
Helena Dedic	....	assistant: Ms. Berk
Janette Evans	....	construction accountant
Michael Fine	....	first aid
Erin Fite	....	production assistant
Cliff Fleming	....	helicopter pilot
Nicole Furia	....	accountant
Ginny Galloway	....	travel coordinator
Martha Haight	....	assistant: Mr. Rifkin
Doug Hobart	....	assistant location manager
Craig Hosking	....	helicopter pilot
Paul Kenney	....	assistant accountant
Christian Klikovits	....	synthesizer programmer
Eric Layne	....	first assistant accountant
Krista Look	....	assistant: Ms. Blanchett
Abbie Ludwig	....	assistant production coordinator
Karen Lunder	....	assistant: Mr. Birnbaum
Giulio Magnolia	....	production assistant
Katie McCaffrey	....	assistant production coordinator (as Katie 'KtMac' McCaffrey)
Ryan McCormick	....	assistant: Mr. McCormick
Kerry Lyn McKissick	....	script supervisor
Kim Meade	....	assistant: Mr. Hoberman
Carla Meyer	....	dialect coach: Ms. Blanchett
Erin Miller	....	production assistant
Justin Nelson	....	assistant: Mr. Amritraj
John Panzarella	....	location manager
Jenni Prange Engleman	....	production assistant
Jonathan Price	....	synthesizer programmer
Susan Ransom	....	key set production assistant
Shaun Roberts	....	production assistant
Noble Robinson III	....	first aid
Shannon Rueger	....	production assistant
Joey Santana	....	production assistant
Traceigh Scottel	....	production assistant (as Tracy V. Scottel)
Kristin Scott	....	assistant: Mr. Thornton
Kirk Steppe	....	assistant location manager
Spooky Stevens	....	unit publicist
Laura Stride	....	production assistant
Dan Talbott	....	production assistant (as 'Dirty' Dan Talbott)
Leslie Thorson	....	assistant location manager
Laura Tiz	....	assistant accountant
Dana Wagner	....	key set production assistant
Judy Weaver	....	assistant accountant (as Judi Weaver)
Louise Weber	....	assistant: Mr. Willis
Jeff Winn	....	craft service
Sandra L. Yeary	....	first assistant accountant
Jordan Albert	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Richard Bronskill	....	auricle operator (uncredited)
Sara Burton	....	assistant location manager: Oregon (uncredited)
Bundy Chanock	....	set medic (uncredited)
Michael Chickey	....	location assistant (uncredited)
David W. Dale	....	assistant: Troy Garity (uncredited)
Pablo Ferro	....	montage sequence (uncredited)
Jane Fonda	....	acting coach (uncredited)
Dan Gorman	....	assistant location manager (uncredited)
Jane E. Graves	....	assistant location manager (uncredited)
Michael Greggans	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Kyle Hutchison	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Karen Jine	....	location assistant (uncredited)
Bridgette Kelley	....	script supervisor: second unit (uncredited)
Todd Kreuter	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Eileen McGuigan	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Daniel A. Mondschain	....	key set production assistant: second unit (uncredited)
Peter Moody	....	location assistant: Northern California (uncredited)
Peter Quartaroli	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Taylor Saxon	....	set medic (uncredited)
Crystal Shade	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Dan Shimer	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Rick Shuster	....	helicopter pilot (uncredited)
TreJulie Stamos	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Simone Stout	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Heidi Sturdevant	....	script supervisor: second unit (uncredited)
David Van Dam	....	assistant location manager (uncredited)
Robert Warberg	....	location manager: second unit (uncredited)
Gary Watt	....	location manager (uncredited)
Grant Wilkinson	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Lisa Womble	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Sandra L. Yeary	....	first accountant (uncredited)
Naomi Yospe	....	assistant production coordinator (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures) (presents)
• Hyde Park Entertainment (in association with)
• Empire Pictures
• Lotus Pictures
• Baltimore Spring Creek Productions (as Baltimore/Spring Creek Pictures)
• Cheyenne Enterprises
• Epsilon Motion Pictures

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (2001) (USA) (all media)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation (MGM) (2001) (USA) (theatrical)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (2005) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Buena Vista International (2001) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Constantin Film (2001) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Independent Films (2001) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (VHS)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (Argentina)
• BMG Video (2002) (Germany) (video)
• Divisa Home Video (2008) (Spain) (DVD)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Gativideo (Argentina) (DVD)
• Gativideo (Argentina) (VHS)
• New Films International
• Pinema (2001) (Turkey) (all media)
• PlazaVista Entertainment (2002) (Switzerland) (DVD) (as Medaria Home Entertainment)
• The Walt Disney Company (Spain)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (France)

Other Companies

• American Racing  thanks
• Buena Vista Negative Cutting  negative cutters
• Central Casting  extras casting
• Central Casting  extras casting: Los Angeles
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes and dollies by
• City of Salinas  thanks
• Columbia Records  soundtrack
• Cristina Ferrare Collection  thanks
• Entertainment Industry Development Corporation (EIDC)  thanks
• Helinet  aircraft provided by (as Heli-Net Corp.)
• Howard Anderson Company, The  titles and opticals
• Jo Anne Kane Music Services  music preparation (as Jo Ann Kane Music Services)
• M & K Professional Loudspeakers  thanks
• Medics at the Movies  set medics
• Monterey County Film Commission  thanks
• Movie Movers  cast trailers
• NT Audio Visual  optical sound negative (as N.T. Audio)
• Nancy Hayes Casting  extras casting: Northern California
• One Six Eight Design Group  title design
• Oregon Department of Corections  thanks
• Oregon Film & Video Office  thanks (as Oregon Film and Video Office)
• Oregon State Penitentiary  thanks
• Original Parts Group  thanks
• Red Robin Rentals Inc.  grip equipment supplied by
• Safeguard Investigation and Security Services  security: Mr. Willis
• San Mateo County Film Commission  thanks
• Skywalker Sound  post-production sound services
• Sonoma County Film Commission, The  thanks (as Sonoma County Film Office)
• Sony Music Soundtrax  soundtrack published by (as Columbia/Sony Music Soundtrax)
• State of California  thanks
• State of Oregon  thanks
• TM Equipment Rentals  lighting equipment supplied by (as TM Equipment Rentals, Inc.)
• Timepix  thanks
• Tony's Food Service  catering (as Tony's Food Service)

Also Known As:

Outlaws (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content, language and violence.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (CFI)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Malaysia:U | South Korea:12 | New Zealand:M | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:Livre | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Ireland:15PG (original rating) | Ireland:15 (video rating) | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #37636)

Filming Locations:

Bodega Bay, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Darren Head, the host of "Criminals at Large" was supposed to be based on John Walsh from "America's Most Wanted" (1988).

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Terry and Joe arrive at a bankers house and announce to the banker that they are going to rob his bank, the banker faints (or spontaneously falls asleep due to narcolepsy). You can see the corner of the mat that he falls on.

Quotes:

Joe: Got the gun?
[the back window of the car they are driving gets shot out]
Terry: No.

Movie Connections:

References The Sting (1973)

Soundtrack:

Wear It So Well

Funny, entertaining and original

This could've been just another "Bonnie and Clyde"-style crime caper, but it's more than that. "Bandits" starts out as a slick action-comedy and evolves into a sweet romantic comedy. When I found out Barry Levinson was the director, I assumed the film would be at least halfway decent. Levinson has a keen eye for character development, and that's one of the things that interested me. Normally, a film like this would be consisted of cut-and-dry, stereotypical characters, but we gradually fall in love these three characters. After reading the rave reviews (Joel Siegel voted this as one of the best films of the year), despite poor box office numbers, I had high expectations for this film--higher than they were after watching the trailer. For some reason, this just doesn't look like a film that would receive 4-star reviews. Now that I have seen it, I can't regard it as a 4-star film, but it's good and entertaining and I wasn't disappointed.

Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton make a great team--they really have an impeccable chemistry. I hope to see them teamed up again in the future. They have the potential to be the next Martin and Lewis. Billy Bob especially steals the film, playing a neurotic Woody Allen-type. He is absolutely hilarious! Bruce flashes his trademark grin and speaks in his usual soft tone, but his role doesn't exactly require the talents of Pacino or DeNiro. Still, Bruce is entertaining and his constant banter with Billy Bob makes the experience even more entertaining. And last but not least, I will mention Cate Blanchett, who gives another incredible performance. I was lucky enough to rent 2 Cate Blanchett movies--this film and "The Gift"--by coincidence. I got to see her sweet, charming performance in "Bandits" as well as her powerful dramatic performance in "The Gift." Just watching those 2 films, gives me a great idea of her scope as an actress. It's sometimes hard to believe she's an Australian actress. How she pulls off such an impeccable American accent--I don't know. I think if I were to hear her speak in an Australian accent, I'd think she's feigning it. Well, Blanchett perfectly completes the trio of actors, and has a great chemistry with the 2 male leads. And it's great to see that Willis, Thornton and Blanchett all seem like they're having fun.

When first watching this movie, I found some of the bank robberies--though very slick and original--to be quite implausible. If the film wasn't as charming and likable, I'd probably have a difficult time suspending disbelief. But then I found out the story of the "Sleepover Bandits" was actually based on a real duo of bank robbers. Of course, this is nowhere close to a biopic and most of the story is obviously fiction, the concept of these two guys sleeping over the bank managers' houses and robbing their banks the next morning was based on truth. Why these managers didn't call the cops while the two guys weren't watching or why they didn't try to strangle the two guys in their sleep--I don't know. The truth really is stranger than fiction. But the bandits did have an interesting gimmick: they only robbed banks, since the money belonged to the government; they never snatched money from people's pockets. There's actually a scene in the movie in which they bust out of prison and rob a lady's car. Willis hands the lady her pocketbook and says, "Don't forget your pocketbook."

The film evolves into a romantic comedy during the second half. I guess that's why audiences were disappointed--they probably expected a sheer action-comedy/crime caper and not a romantic comedy. But I think the fact that the screenwriter and Levinson stretched this out into a romantic comedy made it all the more better. It added new dimensions, and helped us better fall in love with these amiable characters. It was fun watching the strong and macho Willis vie lanky pushover Thornton over the love of alluring Blanchett. It creates an interesting conflict, and spawns some very funny scenes.

The film concludes, picking up from where it left off in the beginning--which is the two bandits pulling off their last bank robbery. The twist ending is nifty and unpredictable, and left me satisfied. Though this is basically a feel-good comedy that kept me smiling, there's no cheap schmaltz or trashy sentiment. That's what happens when you're under the wing of a great director. This is not an excellent film, like some critics said--I don't think any movie that contains Blanchett's horrible rendition of "Walk on By" deserves to be regarded as "excellent" (Cate should DEFINITELY stick to acting!)--but it's good, solid entertainment. And I love the use of U2's "Beautiful Day"!

My score: 7 (out of 10)