Welcome to Collinwood (2002)

53% of critics liked it
(64 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(7,199 ratings)

A group of likable losers try to pull of what by their standards seems like a major heist in this offbeat crime comedy, loosely based on the classic Italian caper comedy I Soliti Ignoti. A group of sad sacks living in a rundown neighborhood in Cleveland all have one thing in common -- they need… More A group of likable losers try to pull of what by their standards seems like a major heist in this offbeat crime comedy, loosely based on the classic Italian caper comedy I Soliti Ignoti. A group of sad sacks living in a rundown neighborhood in Cleveland all have one thing in common -- they need money, and aren't especially fussy about how they get it. Riley (William H. Macy) is a guy whose wife has been sent to jail, leaving him to look after their baby, when she's unable to pay a fine. Pero (Sam Rockwell) is in love with a beautiful girl (Jennifer Esposito) who has a roving eye, and he's convinced that a bigger bankroll would help him win her heart. Leon (Isaiah Washington) is a hipster who wants to keep his sister, Michelle (Gabrielle Union), out of trouble. Basil (Andrew Davoli) is a guy with bad luck, and eyes for Michelle. And Toto (Michael Jeter) is a small-time crook looking for something to do -- if it's profitable, all the better. Someone gets the bright idea that a robbery might be the answer to everyone's problems, and with the help of Jerzy (George Clooney), a safe-cracker confined to a wheelchair, they set out to find the right target. Welcome to Collinwood was the first feature film from the writing and directing team of Anthony Russo and Joe Russo; filmmaker Steven Soderbergh and co-star George Clooney served as producers. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Written By: Joseph Russo, Anthony Russo
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 4, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Mar 18, 2003
Studio: Warner Bros.

Critic Reviews

Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
It's a bellini.
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle
Collinwood seems like a series of sketches, with caricatures instead of characters.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
The picture runs a mere 84 minutes, but it's no glance. It's a head-turner -- thoughtfully written, beautifully read and, finally, deeply humanizing.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The actual heist is the high point, just as in the Italian film, and so raffish and disorganized was the gang that I can see how someone might enjoy this movie, coming to it for the first time.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
An infectious caper flick.
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
Self-consciously quirky and straining for idiosyncrasy, Welcome to Collinwood is a passable ensemble comedy that never hits its stride.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
An occasionally amusing but completely disposable comedy of errors that's not nearly as funny as it thinks it is.
Oz, eFilmCritic.com
Collinwood is certainly one dimensional, but it's a nice dimension. Pleasant. Smile-inducing. Fun.
Ian Waldron-Mantgani, UK Critic
The film looks and sounds bright and bouncy, and it's full of reliable old comic devices like characters absurdly repeating themselves and asking incredulous questions.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

Entertaining and funny, Welcome to Collinwood is a nice film to watch, but certainly is very weak and poor; what make the original Italian classic comedy "I Soliti Ignoti" much more better.
Cynthia S

Funny. Screwball kind of movie. Well done. William H. Macy is fantastic, as usual.
Anthony L

Great crime comedy, absolutely loved it!
xGary X

A gang of down at heel petty crooks inherit what they think is a perfect crime but in execution, things do not go as smoothly as they'd hoped. A kind of Ocean's Eleven for losers, Welcome To Collinwood is a comic heist film that smacks of trying way too hard. I was not… More
A gang of down at heel petty crooks inherit what they think is a perfect crime but in execution, things do not go as smoothly as they'd hoped. A kind of Ocean's Eleven for losers, Welcome To Collinwood is a comic heist film that smacks of trying way too hard. I was not surprised to learn it was a remake of a European film because of the broad slapstick and forced wackiness of the whole idea (Jerry Lewis is still one of the most popular comic actors on mainland Europe. Draw your own conclusions...) The cast are all OK and there is little here that offends, but the Clouseau-esque heist is typical of the tone of the whole film; ridiculous coincidences, surreal situations, heavy handed farce and slapstick that plays wholeheartedly for the cheap seats. It's not awful, but with the talent involved I expected a whole lot more.
Leigh R

What a freak show of nut cases...
Arash X

"Kapuchnik" I haven't seen Big Deal on Madonna Street yet but I really enjoyed Welcome to Collinwood , I mean it may not be a great comedy but from a personal point of view I really liked the story & its characters, There are also so many hilarious lines & Sam… More
"Kapuchnik" I haven't seen Big Deal on Madonna Street yet but I really enjoyed Welcome to Collinwood , I mean it may not be a great comedy but from a personal point of view I really liked the story & its characters, There are also so many hilarious lines & Sam Rockwell rocks
El Hombre I

With a cast including George Clooney, Isaiah Washington, Luis Guzman, Patricia Clarkson, Sam Rockwell, William H. Macy and the great Michael Jeter, how could this not be great? Well, even though it's rather uneven, it's still quite entertaining. If there's something… More
With a cast including George Clooney, Isaiah Washington, Luis Guzman, Patricia Clarkson, Sam Rockwell, William H. Macy and the great Michael Jeter, how could this not be great? Well, even though it's rather uneven, it's still quite entertaining. If there's something that can go wrong, it will and this is where the film starts getting on my nerves, because everything does. Almost a shot for shot remake of Big Deal On Madonna Street, this is a fun saturday afternoon caper with some hilarious moments coupled with eye-rolling ones. The crew is mostly against type-cast and enjoyable. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view¤t=large_collin.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/large_collin.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Aaron N

Riley: This Bellini is starting to look like a real Kapuchnik. Here is a fresh and fun caper comedy featuring a great ensemble cast made up mainly of character actors. The movie was written and directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, who have directed a number of Arrested Development,… More
Riley: This Bellini is starting to look like a real Kapuchnik. Here is a fresh and fun caper comedy featuring a great ensemble cast made up mainly of character actors. The movie was written and directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, who have directed a number of Arrested Development, episodes, and produced by Steven Sodebergh and George Clooney. The story revolves around a particular robbery job which gets pushed out of control as more and more people become involved. Cosimo: Your mother's a whore! Luis Guzman gets caught in a crime, but learns of a huge stash of money from a fellow inmate who is serving time for life. He needs to get out of jail and his girlfriend, Patricia Clarkson, tries to get someone to take the rap for him. This doesn't work out, and instead Guzman's character is tricked into giving away the crime to a part-time boxer/criminal played wonderfully by Sam Rockwell. Eventually others become involved as well, including: William H. Macy as a father with a new born, who must take care of the baby while his wife is serving time. Isaiah Washington, and Michael Jeter. George Clooney also has a small role as a paralyzed safe cracker, who teaches these guys how to open a safe. [Sitting in his wheelchair] Jerzy: Now this may come as a surprise to you guys, but I don't work in the field any more. A women also enters the fold, Jennifer Esposito who is as funny as she is a beauty in this movie, playing a maid working in the place these guys need to break into. There is also a cop around who knows all these guys are up to no good. Sgt. Babitch: Don't get smart with me you little prick, I will shit in you. In terms of the plot setup, this is of course not wholly original. This particular story is actually a remake of sorts. The fun of this movie comes from its performances and the style of the movie. It is full of a combination of different conman terms from the 30s-50s and has a musical score from Mark Mothersbaugh that would fit right into parts of "The Sting." The movie is very brisk at just over 85 minutes, but the movie is so much fun, with plenty of hysterical moments, little moments great to pick up on re-watches, and great chemistry between all the characters. Very funny. [Jerzy is in disguise, in full Hasidic rabbi costume] Basil: Why are you dressed like a priest? [pause] Jerzy: You're an idiot.
Stuart B

Decent heist movie with some good ideas but ultimatley lacking something...
Jens S

Pretty amusing movie with very interesting wanna-be-crook characters, portrayed by a really great cast. While the actual heist is little spectacular in the end, the list of failures the characters go through is still very entertaining to witness. Very obscure sense of humor in a… More
Pretty amusing movie with very interesting wanna-be-crook characters, portrayed by a really great cast. While the actual heist is little spectacular in the end, the list of failures the characters go through is still very entertaining to witness. Very obscure sense of humor in a shockingly short movie. Also shouldn't have advertised with George Clooney's name, who is merely in it as a guest appearance. But the rest of the cast makes up for that easily. Neat.
Burger S

Interesting ensemble film. Reminded me of "The Ladykillers."
Barry L

Genuinly good film.