"Henry's Crime"

The critics pretty much didn't like this film, and I can understand why. However because of performances by the outstanding Vera Famiga, the always excellent pro, James Caan, and Keanu Reeves, I liked it! Okay, it's not a great movie, but I absolutely love Famiga, Caan, and even Reeves was perfectly suited to his role. The concept -- of a bland toll booth cashier (Keanu) whose "friends" sucker him into driving the getaway car while they rob a bank. He gets caught (they do not), and he goes to jail, without ratting them out. In prison he meets James Caan, a lifer who actually enjoys his situation in jail, and avoids parole every time it comes up. He's a confidence man. They share a cell, and he takes the younger man under his wing, so that when Reeves is finally released, he comes back to ask Caan (playing "Max") to join him on the outside and help him to actually commit the crime for which he has already done the time. Reluctantly, "Max" agrees, and the story unfolds. It is discovered that there is a hidden tunnel ( or several) that run from underneath The Bank (the original target) to underneath the old theater next door to it. The Play IS the Thing, and this time it's Chekhov's "Cherry Orchard," in which Vera Famiga is starring. Among other things, there's a director who yells a lot at Vera on stage. Because they need access to the theater, somehow they, probably "Max," manage to have Keanu, discovered to be "a natural," join the cast. (He looks great in a beard, and does his best work acting in the play!) So, there's a love story, there's the heist, (lots of cash in the vault!). there's the digging in the tunnel. Problem: Where to put the dirt? I did NOT like the music used throughout the film. So, I have to take off points. Plus, it just was "off" somehow, possibly the script? The Direction? (Malcolm Venville) Much as I loved the STAR POWER of the actors, I have to honestly limit the film to TWO STARS.