In spite of some flashy, occasionally overused language (e.g., "give it a name" meaning tell it like it is), this is a better than average crime film that manages to simultaneously make some fun of crime films. For example, the "mob boss" is called, I kid you not, The Man with the Plan. One character's monicker is, another real thing not made up (i.e., I myself am not making this up), Critical Bill. And like that.



So what we got here is a somewhat formulaic plot. OK, more than somewhat. The crime, the, you know, doesn't go as planned kinda thing, the repercussions, etc. But you also have something very unexpected and that is a romance that's not stupid or schlocky, but that actually makes you feel something. The main character, played by Andy Garcia--Jimmy the Saint--falls hard for the lead female (Gabrielle Anwar, she of "Scent of a Woman" fame) and the ensuing romance is truly heartfelt. Hmmmm.. a different spin on a crime film. Yes it is.



Even though the characters are kinda stock ones, it's still fun to watch them go through their paces 'cause they're good at it--Christopher Lloyd, Treat Williams (anybody ever figure out how he got that first name?), Christopher Walken, Jack Warden, William Forsythe, and to top it off, the great Steve Buscemi as contract killer (get this) "Mr. Shush". (Now that's what I call giving it a name).



So the quirkiness, the pure romance, and the acting chops all save this from being another completely humdrum entry in the post-Tarantino crime film glut. Much better than you might think...