Great cast, cute concept, bad film

I feel the same way...it almost hurts to have to pan something in which Macy, Freeman and Walken star...but it really rates a don't bother.

I would never belong to any club that would have me as a member

It seems it is becoming more about quantity than quality. Bad Hollywood.

Marcia Gay and Bill Macy saved this movie for me and upped it from poor to fair IMO.

Freeman was just earning a paycheck and Walken was nearly unwatchable, save for a few good scenes.

This cute premise could've become a good movie with some help.

I think there was something missing with regards to the caper itself. After seeing "The Hot Rock" and "Sneakers", perhaps it's just missing Robert Redford.
Additionally, I'm finding it more difficult to appreciate the wimpy, whipped and anti-dynamic Christopher Walken these days. Morgan Freeman...well..as likable as he is, lately his performances seem to be phoned in. Long distance.

But as the title of the thread says, it had a great cast and a good, original concept to it. I just wish the script, the actors and director would have had a lot more fun with it.

"There's a certain freedom that comes from being completely screwed" -The Freshman-

I agree that Marcia Gay Harden was badass in this. I like the film anyway.

SPOILER

When Roger was flummoxed getting the crate without paperwork, I was really anticipating and looking forward to Rose storming in there and ripping everyone a new hole like only a wife on the verge of missing her plane to her anniversary vacation in Florida can be. The dialogue would somehow work out so that Rose intimidates everyone into handing over the crate and they still got their plane. Rose would save the day, when it appeared like she was just monkey wrenching it. I'm no script writer but something like:

ROSE: (storming in, dressed to kill) "What on earth is the hold up, Roger?!"
ROGER: (turns) "I said it'd be just a minute!"
ROGER: (aside to Clerk) "Now she's mad..."
ROSE: "It's been way more than a *minute*, have you forgotten how to tell time?!"
CLERK: "Who are you?"
ROSE: "Who am *I*? I'm Rose Marie Harden."
ROGER: (defeatedly) "She's kind of my...boss."
ROSE: "You're damn right I'm the boss, and the boss says we're gonna be late, so let's go!"
ROGER: "We can't leave without the crate - he won't let us get the crate."
CLERK: "I'm security, ma'am. I can't give up the crate without proper security clearance."
ROSE: "What are you talking about - Roger is a head of security for the art museum - he's been working there more than 30 years!"
ROGER: "Why are you shouting? There's no need to be so rude..."
ROSE: "I'm *not* shouting! I can't believe it's taking so long, we've got a schedule to keep!"
ROGER: "If this guy would just give me the crate like he's supposed to then..."
ROSE: "What kind of 2-bit operation are you running here..."
ROGER & ROSE: (shouting louder and faster, dialogue overlaps and rises unintelligibly)
CLERK: (He can't take it anymore, spreads arms) "ENOUGH!! Take the crate!"
ROGER: (aside to Clerk) "Now that's smart man."
CLERK: "Sorry for the delay, ma'am."
ROSE: "I think it's time for that vacation."