Touchstone and Beyond: “High Hells and Low Lifes” is a Lowkey Crime Comedy
Marquee Attraction: High Heels and Low Lifes
Release Date: July 20, 2001
Budget: $10 million
Domestic Box Office Gross: $228,194
Worldwide Box Office Gross: $2,340,411
Plot Synopsis
Frances and Shannon overhear a bank robbery while listening to Shannon’s boyfriend’s recording equipment. The two best friends decide to extort the criminals for a couple of million dollars or else they will go to the police.
What follows is two hapless everyday women doing battle with a tough guy thug named Mason, who happens to report to an even tougher gangster named Kerrigan. While Franics and Shannon are lucky and able to avoid detection throughout most of their madcap adventure, eventually the two need to take drastic measures.
After Mason tried to kill them both, Shannon and Frances decide to storm the criminal’s home, and with some subterfuge, and acting skills, they manage to rob the gangster’s home safe, and escape with millions of dollars.
The only problem for the women is, should they keep the money, or give it all away.
Standing Ovation
McCormack and Driver make a great duo. The script isn’t spectacular, but the two actors are great as the hapless crooks to be.
Kevin McNally playing the heavy as Mason was a great choice. He has a brooding tough guy look and personality, while also able to convey the futility of being outsmarted by the girls. The lesson of Mason is that even though you might be tough and can fire a gun, it doesn’t mean you are intelligent.
The shoot out at Mason’s home between Shannon and Frances is hilarious. Silly and slapstick, it’s the best scene in the film.
Time for the Hook
The film is enjoyable, but the plot is minor, and while I laughed at the stupidity of the crooks, Shannon and Frances are too inexperienced to be able to be as successful as they are against Mason.
Bit Part Player
Michael Gambon as Kerrigan is just the right dose of respectability and authority in the guise of the crime boss Kerrigan. Gambon is iconic and his short stay in the story is just what it needs to up the level of danger for everyone involved.
Did You Know?
- The film made half of its North American box office gross on its opening weekend.
- The movie was nominated for one British Independent Film Awards.
- The real-life robbery on Baker Street in 1971 inspired the opening moments of the film.
- Director Mel Smith has a cameo in the film. He passes by Mason in the train station.
- The unique credits to the film include a word of thanks from the producers to the residents of Lower Kinswood (for all the gunfire).
- The film was released on Blu-ray in 2018 under a licensing agreement with Kino Lorber.
Bill’s Hot Take
McCormack and Driver were not big enough stars at the time to have led this film to box office success.
Casting Call
- Kevin McNally as Mason
- Minnie Driver as Shannon
- Mary McCormack as Frances
- Michael Gambon as Kerrigan
Production Team:
Directed by Mel Smith
Produced by Touchstone Pictures / Fragile Films / High Heels Productions Limited
Written by Kim Fuller and Georgia Pritchett
My Critical Response
{Snub-Skip this Film, Lifeboat Award-Desperate for Something to Watch, Commuter Comforter-A Perfect Film for Any Device, Jaw Dropper- You Must Watch This Film on a Big Screen, Rosebud Award- This Film is Cinema.}
If Minnie Driver is in a film, I always give it a chance. She’s funny, vibrant, and a great actor. It’s easy to root for her characters because Driver has a presence on screen. The problem with High Heels and Low Lifes is that the film never really takes off.
The script is basic, with a simple plot that never really breaks out of standard expectations. It’s not a bad movie, but it’s not a good movie either.
High Heels and Low Lifes gets my Lifeboat Award. If you are desperate for a film, and have nothing else to watch, then check out this crime comedy. But don’t worry if you miss out, you’re not missing anything.
Coming Soon
Next week, a look back at the firefighting epic Ladder 49.