Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

To me, Woody Allen is at his best when he makes us laugh and cry at the same time. When I first saw this film in the movie theatre, I found it thoroughly entertaining, but more in the same vein as his "early funny ones" than his later, deeper work (Crimes & Misdemeanors, Husbands & Wives and the like). Upon repeated viewing, though, I realised I had been wrong. It is light-hearted and funny on the surface, but much much deeper than it first seems. It has really grown on me since and has become one of my favourites. The cast are all superb, from Tracey Ullman to Hugh Grant, even Woody gives one of his best performances of his career. Highly recommended for both fans of Woody's funny ones and of his more serious dramas.

I love this period in Woody Allen's work. The 90s were a time when he made several filmed experiments. He made a social satire, a musical, a character study and semi-autobiographical study of his relationships with women. I'm glad that Woody is trying new things but STC reminded me of what I loved about his work in the first place: He can write comedies that are very, very funny STC is a flat out comedy, it has no other reasons for being then to make us laugh. It is inventive and sweet and Allen has not only surrounded himself with a cast of wonderfully talented actors but puts a new spin on his nebbish persona.Here's the story: Allen and Tracy Ullman play a blue collar couple living the in middle class doldrums of New York City. Allen is a professional criminal who hits upon the idea of renting out a store and having his wife sell cookies as a front while he and his cohorts are in the basement digging a tunnel to the bank next door. The heist is bungled when Allen and his cronies end up in a dress shop while Ullman is in the front making a fortune selling cookies. The become millionaires in the cookie business.Now, this would have been enough for any other comedy but this is Woody Allen, he has other surprises up his sleeve. The couple live it up, Ullman trying to fit into the Manhattan social scene can't escape the fact that she is a butcher to good taste (Just how much leopard skin can you fit into one Penthouse?) Allen (a sullen, dimwitted slob) on the other hand is just as happy eating cheeseburgers and watching the Nicks game The two have a wonderful rapport together but the plumb part goes to Elaine May who plays Ullman's cousin. She all but steals the show in the scene where Allen is suppose to rob a rich socialite's safe during a party. He tells her to mingle and talk about the weather. She does just that, giving out weather reports.What I loved about STC is that it never tries to be anything more than what it is, it's a flat out comedy. But, Woody being the genius writer that he is takes what would have been otherwise just a comic idea and takes it one step furthur. It is fun to watch a comedy this inventive.

The great Writer/Director/Star seems a little tired in his new attempt at a more accessible mode of slapstick ala his early movies. The cerebral comedy takes a vacation and this romp is indicative of whimsical rather than witty Woody.It somewhat works and the creative ability of the cast, as well as a half-awake Allen, deliver an easy essay on wealth and want. There are a number of laughs and it all is a rather unusual piece of fluff from a talent that more times than not stimulates the head-bone as much as the funny-bone.Compared to his other gems this one is not made of glass, but admittedly, while not a fugazi, is far from the precious piece of treasure that one normally expects from the "prophet of the misanthropes".

writer/director Woody Allen scores some big time laughs with this film.i laughed quite a bit.the characters are all interesting.the dialogue(particularly the bater between Ray (Allen)and his wife Frenchy(Tracey Ullman) is quite funny as, are some of the situations.Elaine May as Frenchy's cousin May is a scream.Hugh Grant plays against type(sort of)in a minor supporting role.the story is interesting and well fleshed out,as are the characters.all in all,this is a witty,clever and fun movie that never fails to entertain.though i haven't seen a lot of woody Allen films,this is one of the funniest i have seen to date.for me,Small Time Crooks scores big time laughs.8/10