It is not often that I use this word in film reviews, but High Heels and Low Lifes was a very cute movie. While it did follow a very formulaic caper approach, there were elements that were very original and stood out in this film. It had a crisp semi-humorous story coupled with two actresses that were very into their roles. There were some dark elements that I was not expecting when they were dealing with the gangsters that kept my attention until the very end. This was one of those films where you knew exactly how it was going to end, but you still had fun watching your characters get there. This film was a no-brainer, but in a good sense. If you are looking for a fun, caper film that takes no energy to watch than this is the film for you. That is exactly what I was looking for when I watched this film, and it worked perfectly. Let me tell you why.

My biggest satisfaction from this film came from the very unrealistic portrayal of London's dark underbelly. It begins with a very sinister retrospect on the crime in this populated city with images of hardcore robbers doing what they do best. That is the last glimpse we have of that world because by the end of the film the darkness sheds to light and we are handed a fantasy world all our own. The bad guys go from their darkened world and into mansions full of color, ambition, and cartoon blunders. It is this sense of unreality that kept me focused on this film. Here we have two women that are having this "movie" adventure while hiding in bushes, wearing dark sunglasses, and fighting with guys in the cow pastures, yet on the other hand we have these criminals that truly want to kill them. There are huge guns fired, people get shot, and there are even some literal explosions. It reminded me of when Elmer Fudd was hunting for Bugs Bunny. There is some horror to the realization that Fudd only wants to "kill the rabbit", but there is humor in the unrealistic events that occur due to Bugs' outlandish style and Fudd's ignorance. So, when you look at the cover of this film, do not be fooled. What I am trying to say here is that the unreal story is what kept my attention. I don't know if the writers wanted to create a real world with these heroes, but in my eyes they didn't. This was a fictional story, and I couldn't see this happening in real life ... and that worked for me.

I must say that Minnie Driver and Mary McCormack are not at the top of Hollywood players list, but they seemed to carry themselves well in this picture. I think the reason that they worked was because it was a small film. Driver and McCormack do better in these small budgeted films than they do in the blockbusters. I don't think I have ever seen a big-budget Minnie Driver film that I would say was "amazing", and the same goes for McCormack. High Heels and Low Lifes is their type of film. Thankfully, director Mel Smith knows that and knew what he had to work with. He keeps the tone low on this film, making the humor not laugh-out-loud, but grinable. There wasn't really anything spectacular about the direction of this film, and that was perfect for this film. At times directors of these smaller films try to reach out and become to artsy with their craft, this was not the case here. Smith stayed on the path of this film and worked his magic with the greatest of ease. He was not trying to go over the top, but yet successfully kept this film from sinking.

Overall, this was a "cute" film. I will use that word again because I cannot think of a better way to describe this simple film. It was easy on the eyes and on the mind, and if you are in the mood for that style of film than High Heel and Low Lifes will provide it. Minnie Driver and Mary McCormack play off each other exceptionally well while Mel Smith eases behind the camera. There is nothing spectacular about this film. I probably will never see it again, but it was worth watching once. It is always good to have these types of films around. Those that do not try to go overboard, yet give you exactly what you went in looking for. I was impressed.

Grade: *** out of *****

First published in the Stanford Daily, Nov 8, 2001


In "High Heels and Low Lifes," bosom buddies Frances (Mary McCormack) and Shannon (Minnie Driver) get wasted in a London nightclub to drown their sorrows and celebrate Shannon's birthday. Despite being as tipsy as tops and being thoroughly incapable of uncorking a bottle, they overhear a dimwitted bank robber providing live commentary as the event happens. Frances writes down his mobile phone number with a steady hand. They miraculously sober up and, upon the cajoling of the conscientious Shannon, they approach the police with the tip. Predictably enough, the police, occupied as they are with ingenuous junkies and riotous revelers, have no time to deal with bank robbers. Frances, an aspiring American actress, who can't even impersonate a tomato from outer space, persuades Shannon to join her in a blackmail caper.

What follows stretches the imagination to breaking point. The dim-witted sidekick, Danny, like all low lifes, is holed out in the East End. His boss, Mason (Kevin McNally), acts like an investment banker and lives in a country mansion. Mason, in turn, is under the tutelage of Kerrigan (Sir Michael Gambon), who would pass for a member of the House of Lords if not for the small matter of a hideous Essex accent! Add to that two bumbling detectives, one more interested in hitting on Shannon (understandably), and you have the perfect formula for cheap thrills. Leave your brains behind and have a good laugh.

Like good Londoners, the girls make their first call from the ubiquitous red phone booth. Like all red London phone booths, this one nearly knocks them out with its stench of stale piss. Frances's attempts at impersonating a tough-talking blackmailer illuminate her failed career as an actress. Curiously, the bad guys are dumber than the audience and mistake her Yankee drawl for the voice of a member of that exclusive club, the British underworld. Until the last 10 minutes of the movie, attempted blackmail only results in the shooting of a bum, and the merciful exit of Danny. Finally, after a lot of contrived rigamarole signifying nothing, the climax shifts to Mason's stately country home for a decisive shoot out. The good guys let loose with canons while the baddies retaliate with peashooters. No prize for guessing who wins.

Blackmail works. McCormack is dreadful as Frances. Driver would give most nurses an inferiority complex. Substitute a tight plot for the girls' tight clothes, and you'll have a whale of a time. Moreover, Shannon can give you a few lessons on how to dump your boyfriend.

Minnie Driver and Mary McCormack shine in this fast paced British comedy about two friends who get caught up in a
robbery thanks to her unemployed boyfriend, Ray and his electronic
eavesdropping equipment.Enter Shannon,(Driver) a sensible, lovely, nurse in her early 30's who has come home for what she thought was her birthday celebration. Unbeknownst to her, the boyfriend is too involved with his scanners listening in on half of London's phone calls and wants nothing to do with any festivities. A fight ensues and mister not-so-wonderful is tossed out next morning, gadgets and all.

Shannon calls on her friend Francis (McCormack) a fiesty, 30-ish, voice over actress, for support. Together, they overhear a robbery in progress. Just so happens, the thief's cell phone number is displayed for all to see on the computer. Now that's caller ID LOL. The girls get to talking and decide they want in on the on the multi million pound take.

The script is frothy and doesn't give you a chance to think about what else you could have rented at the video store. Laughs
abound from beginning to end.

Be sure to get the DVD version for some extra features well worth the price of rental. Parents, keep in mind, "High Heels and Low Lifes" comes with an R rating and lives up to it quite well. Not suggested for kids under 15.

Enjoy :)

Many of the other reviews have criticized this movie for being unrealistic, but cripes, it's a comedy, it's not supposed to be a documentary! Anyway, this is a great movie for cheering yourself up when you are sick, or watching with your best friend. This is for all intents and purposes, a buddy movie for girls. Are any of the Lethal Weapons plausible? No, but that's what makes them fun. I thought I'd add my two cents since all the reviews I saw were from guys. My girlfriends and I laughed our asses off. And that's what a good comedy is for.

This is one of the most "medium" movies I've seen. No real controversy (good girls versus bad guys), no nudity (a real missed opportunity there), no comedic bits that are either really funny or really stupid (there's one scene where Minnie tries to hide a gun in her bra, but the metal's so cold she drops it).
You could watch this with a new date and just relax, talk some, watch some, no pressure.
Two young women, a nurse and an actress, overhear a robbery in progress and, deciding that their lives could use some new spice (and new money), try to blackmail the crooks into sharing the loot.
The characters (nurse-actress-bad guys) are all easily recognized "types," the setting is England but doesn't really have to be (except it's kind of funny listening to the American "actress" do her British accent).
Keep your expectations low, and this movie is fine.