Heist movies are always fun. Aren't they?

Mad Money, which stars the unlikely trio of Queen Latifah, Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes, is a movie about three women who decide to steal from the Federal Reserve where they work. As one might expect, greed and amateurish work leads to their plan ultimately failing, and, more importantly, a shockingly pathetic crime comedy.

The movie tries to be funny but just isn't. Latifah looks confused most of the time, not because of the screenplay but out of wonder at where her career has led her. Ever since Chicago, she has starred in one crappy film after another, with only Hairspray serving as a slight reprieve. She seems to have realized this early on and never attempts to put much effort into her character. Holmes, on the other hand, puts way too much into her character, but unfortunately that isn't enough to make anything out of it. She pulls a few laughs, but most of her jokes fall flat. As for Keaton, what the hell has happened to her? She hasn't done anything good since 2003.

Of the entire cast, the only person I did like was Ted Danson, but even he doesn't get much to do here.

Aside from the acting, the movie itself is pretty much a waste of time. Told chaotically with flashbacks and so forth, Mad Money manages to lack any kind of excitement whatsoever while being utterly and pathetically unfunny. As a crime flick, there is no tension, conflict or thrills, and as a comedy, there are a bunch of cringe-inducing jokes. Director Callie Khouri was apparently going for a Thelma and Louise women's crime comedy, but making a movie about three women who laugh and screech their way through an idiotic heist just isn't that interesting to me.

Mad Money is a forgettable crime comedy that lacks any sense of direction or entertainment.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.