Quick Change *** (1990, Bill Murray, Geena Davis, Randy Quaid, Jason Robards) – Classic Movie Review 10,782

Quick Change (1990) is a clever and amusing crime caper comedy, in which Grimm (Bill Murray) makes himself up as a circus clown for a bank heist but then gets stuck in New York with his co-criminals Phyllis (Geena Davis) and Loomis (Randy Quaid).

Quick Change is an underrated film, boosted by sharp jibes about the city, rewarding star turns and funny cameos. It is just slightly let down by low-voltage direction and a real lack of attack. But it is sparkling and funny though. Murray raises lots of laughs, Davis and Randy Quaid are good value too as his accomplices, while Jason Robards has fun as Chief Rotzinger, the police chief in hot pursuit.

Quick Change is based on Jay Cronley’s novel already made as Hold-Up in 1985, with Jean-Paul Belmondo, Kim Cattrall and Guy Marchand.

Also in the cast are Bob Elliott, Philip Bosco, Phil Hartman, Kurtwood Smit, Jamey Sheridan, Kathryn Grody, Dale Grand, Tony Shalhoub, Brian McConnachie and Stanley Tucci.

It is Murray’s only film as producer or director. Writer Franklin and producer Murray couldn’t decide who would be a good director for the film so they did it themselves.

Murray said: ‘Everyone will enjoy this movie. But New Yorkers will enjoy it especially because they know how bad their city really is. It’s a great piece of writing. And how about the cast?’

Quick Change is directed by Howard Franklin and Bill Murray, runs 89 minutes, is made by Devoted Productions, is released by Warner Bros, is written by Howard Franklin, based on Jay Cronley’s novel, is shot by Michael Chapman, is produced by Bill Murray and Robert Greenhut and scored by Randy Edelman and Howard Shore.

Randy Quaid became an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump after 2016 and claimed without evidence that the outcome of the 2020 US Presidential election was the result of widespread voter fraud. Three weeks after the election, Trump thanked Quaid on Twitter for making these claims.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 10,782

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com