Held Up (2000)

17% of critics liked it
(30 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(2,517 ratings)

In this fish-out-of-water comedy, Jamie Foxx plays a man named Michael Dawson, though he's confused for both Puff Daddy and Mike Tyson by the citizenry of the podunk southwest town that serves as the setting for Held Up. Road-tripping Michael and Rae (Nia Long) stop in for gas in Michael's new… More In this fish-out-of-water comedy, Jamie Foxx plays a man named Michael Dawson, though he's confused for both Puff Daddy and Mike Tyson by the citizenry of the podunk southwest town that serves as the setting for Held Up. Road-tripping Michael and Rae (Nia Long) stop in for gas in Michael's new vintage roadster, but she grabs a ride to the airport with a truck full of cowboys after learning he blew more than 10,000 dollars earmarked for buying a home on the automobile. Moments later, Michael loses the car as well when a youth cons him out of the keys. Just when his day couldn't get any worse, Michael lands in the middle of a botched hold-up by amateurs trying to knock over the convenience store. All variety of local law enforcement, from the sheriff (Barry Corbin) to truckloads of unofficial shotgun-toting "deputies," quickly descends on the scene. Michael tries to sweet-talk the frightened gunman (Eduardo Yanez), befriend his fellow hostages (Sarah Paulson and John Cullum), and plan how to reach the airport before Rae's flight leaves, all while not getting shot by the hair triggers inside and outside the store. The film was produced and originally publicized under the title "Inconvenienced." ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Steve Rash
Written By: Jeff Eastin
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: May 12, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Aug 29, 2000
Studio: Trimark

Critic Reviews

A.O. Scott, New York Times
By the end, even the irrepressible Mr. Foxx seems tired and defeated.
Loren King, Boston Globe
Held Up is a fish-out-of-water comedy that is all wet from the start.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
This slow and talky sitcom may leave its paying customers feeling Held Up.
Michael Atkinson, Mr. Showbiz
There's enough nice timing and character surprises to make it click at least half of the time.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Everybody's timing seems off the beat, as if they're trying to get a handle on the script, which has more tone than jokes.
Ted Fry, Film.com
Maybe a few years from now Held Up won't look like the misstep for Jamie Foxx that it appears to be today. But it probably will.
George Meyer, Orlando Weekly
Thanks to an attractive cast and an air of amiability, much of it works.
Leah Beth Reisman, Citysearch
Scenes begin with an amusing premise and a few laughs, but quickly fizzle as the jokes become increasingly one-note.
Jim Judy, Screen It!
Eastin's plot never strays from the predictable nor creates the proper comedic tension and urgency needed for the story to work.
Paula Nechak, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Held Up is a real dud, with few laughs, no characterization, little story, a cluster of stereotypes and clichés and just plain nothing for Foxx to do.
Dennis Hunt, San Diego Union-Tribune
In this disjointed comedy, Foxx is just a Murphy clone.
Steve Simels, TV Guide's Movie Guide
There's an obligatory feel-good ending that's totally unbelievable, and the raunchy first act banter between Foxx and his girlfriend is disconcertingly at odds with the Preston Sturges-style stuff that follows.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
Even if it isn't much of a comedy, at least it's a good-spirited one. The cast gives it their all, but the material is hopeless.