This is a classic Elmore Leonard tale, adapted from his novel The Switch. Full of hardened but sympathetic criminals, crazy eccentrics, corrupt businessmen, ambivalent lovers and dames of distinction, you’ll find Life of Crime a darkly amusing diversion.

The casting is smart and intriguing. We have Tim Robbins (when did he become John Voight?) as a blowhard businessman, and Jennifer Aniston playing his long suffering wife. The brilliant John Hawkes and yasiin bey (the former Mos Deaf) are couple of smalltime hoods out kidnap the wife, and Will Forte is appropriately smarmy as said wife’s would-be lover. Isla Fisher is the mistress.

They play off each other like a perfectly calibrated pinball machine, with plenty of ding ding ding moments, regretful antics and surprises. The pacing is a bit off, and there are a number of sequences where you won’t miss a thing if you decide to “stretch your legs” or go out for popcorn.

But not every movie has to be an edge of your seat thriller from minute one, does it? This could well be a breakout film for writer/Director Daniel Schechter, whose previous movies (Goodbye Baby, Supporting Characters) you’ve probably never seen. He adroitly evokes odd and sometimes poignant chemistry amongst this able cast, with one tender moment between Aniston and Hawkes being worth the price of admission alone. It’s not likely you’ll have to stand in long lines to see this Weinstein flick on opening weekend, which makes it an excellent date option. Add a little sushi to the itinerary, and you’ve got yourself a near perfect night.

Rated R

99 Minutes