Palookaville (1995)

64% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(1,162 ratings)

Three likable losers attempt "a momentary shift in lifestyle" by becoming part-time thieves in this comedy. Russ (Vincent Gallo) is living with his family, who don't get along especially well, and he fools around with the teenage girl who lives next door. Jerry (Adam Trese) is married to Betty… More Three likable losers attempt "a momentary shift in lifestyle" by becoming part-time thieves in this comedy. Russ (Vincent Gallo) is living with his family, who don't get along especially well, and he fools around with the teenage girl who lives next door. Jerry (Adam Trese) is married to Betty (Linda Gay Hamilton), who -- unlike her husband -- has a job and wants to keep it, even if that means having an affair with her boss. And Sid (William Forsythe) has a soft spot for dogs, which helped derail his plans for a taxi service for senior citizens. All three guys are out of work and need quick money; Russ comes up with a plan to rob a jewelry store, but things go haywire when they accidentally break into a bakery instead, though they at least make off with a large supply of doughnuts. Despite their initial failure as criminals, the would-be thieves raise their sights and plan to knock over an armored car, but they soon discover just how far out of their league they really are. Palookaville was based on a series of short stories by Italian writer Italo Calvino. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Alan Taylor
Written By: David Epstein
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Apr 1, 2003
Studio: Evergreen

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Taylor's charming comedy owes its existence to Fellini's I Vitelloni and Barry Levinson's Diner.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Understated comedy about inept criminals featuring lesser-known actors. (Not nearly as bad as it sounds.)
Anthony L

Nice little indie film. Forsythe, Gallo and Trese are great in the prospective roles and what the film lacks in conclusion, it make up for in humour.
xGary X

A very amusing left field heist movie with plenty of laughs and a very "indie" feel. Fans of QT and Guy Ritchie should definitely check it out.
Mike T

Clumsy, dim-witted comedy that manages to mess up on almost every level. It becomes wearisome within the first ten minutes at most, and it only gets worse from there. This movie forces the audience to participate in the bumblings of three despicable characters for 90 minutes. The… More
Clumsy, dim-witted comedy that manages to mess up on almost every level. It becomes wearisome within the first ten minutes at most, and it only gets worse from there. This movie forces the audience to participate in the bumblings of three despicable characters for 90 minutes. The dialogue scenes are all bizarrely directed, forcing actors to perform actions that are as unconvincing as they are stupid. This isn't funny material; it's downright desperate. Vincent Gallo (the reason I bought it) is great as always, and the same can be said for Frances McDormand. That's about all that can be said for this misfire.

Cast

            William Forsythe as Sid

            Vincent Gallo as Russ

            Adam Trese as Jerry

            Lisa Gay Hamilton as Betty

            Frances McDormand as June

            Paul Austin as Sergeant

            Nesbitt Blaisdell as Old Fritz

            Nicole Burdette as Chris

            Sam Coppola as Mr. Kott

            William Duell as Money Truck Guard

            Leonard Jackson as Bus Driver

            Ruth Kobart as Himself

            Robert LuPone as Ralph

            Peter McRobbie as Chief Of Police

            Bridgit Ryan as Enid

            Douglas Seale as old man

            Suzanne Shepherd as Mother

            Mario Todisco as Gangster

            Gareth Williams as Ed

            Kim Dickens as Laurie

            Stan Tracy as Barney

            William Riker as Old Arthur

            Bridget Ryan as Enid

            Jerome LePage as Walt

            Gerry Robert Byrne as Cop

            Walter Bryant as money truck driver

            Skylar Lewis as Ricky

            Mutty as Himself
See full cast