How to Rob a Bank (2007)

15% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(8,623 ratings)

Nick Stahl, Erika Christensen, and Gavin Rossdale star in a high-stakes caper film in which the only thing for certain is that nothing is as it seems. Fed up with the manner in which super-sized corporations continually stack the deck against the common man, Jason "Jinx" Taylor (Stahl) reaches his… More Nick Stahl, Erika Christensen, and Gavin Rossdale star in a high-stakes caper film in which the only thing for certain is that nothing is as it seems. Fed up with the manner in which super-sized corporations continually stack the deck against the common man, Jason "Jinx" Taylor (Stahl) reaches his wit's end after attempting to withdraw his last 20 dollars from the bank and getting refused due to the fact that the transaction fee will overdraw him. Locked in a tightly sealed bank vault with pretty Jessica (Christensen), Jinx struggles to find a way out as armed robber Simon (Rossdale) and his men search for a means of getting in. As Officer De Gespe (Terry Crews) and his men surround the bank, it begins to appear that the situation is slightly more complicated than the cops anticipated. When Simon fails to intimidate Jinx into opening the vault, loyalties are tested and the situation quickly turns volatile. Soon it's revealed that the true mastermind of the operation is a man whom no one had expected, and that in order to collect the funds that have been skimmed from bank fees over the course of many years, he will have to convince Jinx and Jessica to issue a secret PIN number. Now, in order to escape with both the cash and their lives, Jinx will have to convince cops and robbers alike that he and Jessica are merely hostages who need to be released before things get truly out of hand. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 21 min.
Directed By: Andrews Jenkins
Written By: Andrew Jenkins
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 25, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Sep 2, 2008
Studio: IFC Films

Critic Reviews

Ronnie Scheib, Variety
Andrew Jenkins' amateurish, half-hearted romantic comedy-cum-heist film twists itself into unconvincing knots to pull off a guilt-free bank robbery.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
An excellent actor too often stuck in unworthy roles, Nick Stahl deserves much better than Andrew Jenkins' derivative, self-conscious heist flick.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
An 81-minute movie that runs out of ideas well before the halfway point.
Stephen Farber, Hollywood Reporter
It seems especially depressing when so-called independent filmmakers have nothing on their minds except aping the style of Hollywood's hip caper movies.
Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice
So objectively awful it ceases even to be a reflection of writer-director Andrews Jenkins's non-talent, How to Rob a Bank calls into question the distribution filtration process that should protect delicate consumer eyes from things like this.
David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com
Builds enough on solid ideas and interesting characters to make up for its clumsier attempts at suspense.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Film Threat
In spite of the caveats, it makes for a good time with Christensen providing lovely eye candy, but as for Jenkins and his hipper than thou dialogue, and gritty direction? I'm not impressed...
Annlee Ellingson, Boxoffice Magazine
For a hip commercial and music-video director, Andrews Jenkins is oddly behind the curve and out of step in his feature directorial debut.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
How to Rob a Bank? How Not to Make a Movie.
David Fear, Time Out New York
Bereft of anything resembling subtlety or common sense, this cretinous caper flick does offer a lesson on how to rob folks of $10.50. The bank aspect is merely incidental.
Edward Douglas, ComingSoon.net
Jenkins' overly clever and stylish but ultimately shoddy and boring debut is mostly an awful waste of time.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
How to Rob a Bank operates under the delusion it's a scabrous genre autopsy, when really it's one Nina Simone song short of being a Victoria's Secret commercial.

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Roy G

Builds enough on solid ideas and interesting characters to make up for its clumsier attempts at suspense.
Dean L

This film had some serious potential. We start out with a sound premise; Young guy fed up with the system and how he is getting sucked dry by it goes in to vent his spleen and gets caught up in something much larger than he could have anticipated. The storyline stays static all the… More
This film had some serious potential. We start out with a sound premise; Young guy fed up with the system and how he is getting sucked dry by it goes in to vent his spleen and gets caught up in something much larger than he could have anticipated. The storyline stays static all the way through and we are treated to stilted dialogue coupled with poor acting. The set up was good (albeit done in a million different ways before), the concept was good (seen it too though), but the execution was pure pabulum. I wish they could have really taken a bite here, but instead it falls into the realm of mediocrity within the first 15 minutes. Erika Christensen looks lovely, but if you are watching this for her...go buy a poster. Avoid this one. As hard as it tries...it tries too hard and comes up empty.
Sol C

This one took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting much from watching the trailer, but after seeing the film, I really liked it. I loved the style of this film. The film reminded me of another bank caper, Flypaper. The big difference is that Flypaper had wit and great dialog. This… More
This one took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting much from watching the trailer, but after seeing the film, I really liked it. I loved the style of this film. The film reminded me of another bank caper, Flypaper. The big difference is that Flypaper had wit and great dialog. This film has style that Flypaper lacked. I was surprised by the short running time of the film. Nick Stahl and Erika Christensen shine in the film. They have a great on screen chemistry. Gavin Rossdale, Terry Crews, and David Carradine provide solid supporting work. I loved the Duran Duran references and the end credits playing Hungry Like the Wolf. I definitely recommend this film.
Deb S

The film is about a man, Jason"JINX" Taylor (Nick Stahl) who goes to withdraw $20 bucks and gets caught in the middle of a bank robbery, ending up in the vault with one of the would be robbers (the hot-and-sexy Erika Christensen) he then treats as a hostage. The robbers want… More
The film is about a man, Jason"JINX" Taylor (Nick Stahl) who goes to withdraw $20 bucks and gets caught in the middle of a bank robbery, ending up in the vault with one of the would be robbers (the hot-and-sexy Erika Christensen) he then treats as a hostage. The robbers want in, whilst Jinx wants out... and his 20 bucks. Meanwhile Officer Degepse (Terry Crews), is stuck outside the bank trying to defuse the situation. A fun scenario lol: 10 tips to rob a bank and get away with it: 1. Decide to rob a bank 2. Have a plan 3. Have a back-up plan 4. Establish clear communications 5. Choose your partners carefully 6. Expect the unexpected 7. Shit happens 8. Don't get greedy 9. Remember, shit happens. 10. Hang up and know when to walk away
shane h

about the only thing going for this movie is Erika Christensen, hot, sassy and keeps you in suspense on whether or not she is in on it or not. The movie starts off already going but not in a Quentin Tarantino kinda way but like 20 min into the movie and then does its best to catch you… More
about the only thing going for this movie is Erika Christensen, hot, sassy and keeps you in suspense on whether or not she is in on it or not. The movie starts off already going but not in a Quentin Tarantino kinda way but like 20 min into the movie and then does its best to catch you up in a back track way. Gavin Rossdale plays the bad guy bank robber almost as good as he plays a rockstar. I lost interest about an hour in a turned it off so maybe it got better, i'll never know.