It’s a rare thing when a film has too many ideas for its own good, but that’s exactly the problem with the semi-comedic crime caper Flypaper, that attempts to toss a bucket of elements into a blender, only to watch it overflow and toss stuff every which way. Part of the film wants to be a bank heist flick, with the tension that comes from breaking through a vault and managing hostages, while other parts want to be a detective story, a romantic comedy, Clue, and The Usual Suspects. Considering the sheer number of vapid films that pour into theaters and onto DVD and Blu-ray, it almost hurts to criticize a film for trying to do too much. Flypaper has plenty of fun ideas which could have made for a brilliant comic thriller if they had been given more time to develop or enough weight so the ideas weren’t dropped momentarily just so they could all fit together in frame that can’t support their weight. As is, it’s a film that’s certainly fun to watch, but you’ll have to exercise quite a bit of restraint to not point out all the plotholes.
The two-minute dead period of a small bank’s alarm system as it updates to a new version is all the invitation a team of bank robbers need to take their run at the money locked within. In fact, the opportunity is so inviting that it attracts more than one group of bank robbers. As the customers hit the floor and men with guns announce their nefarious intentions, the would-be bandits look up to discover that they’re not the only ones with that idea. Under siege by two teams of bank robbers, one a collection of by-the-book cyber professionals (Mekhi Pfifer, John Ventimiglia, Matt Ryan) and the other two hillbillies who just want the cash from the ATMs (Tim Blake Nelson, Pruitt Taylor Vince), the staff of the bank (Jeffrey Tambor, Octavia Spencer, Curtis Armstrong, Rob Huebel) begin to piece together what’s really going on thanks to the leadership and detective skills of patron Tripp (Patrick Dempsey) and teller Kaitlin (Ashley Judd). Is this an honest case of two bank robberies with scheduling conflicts or something more sinister?
Though mildly amusing throughout, the story starts with a premise that will have most audience members asking questions that start with “Well, why don’t they just…” – and there are a lot of them. Every new plotpoint opens up a can of worms that then eat away at previous and future moments, so that at some point you have to make the conscious decision to just ignore the inconsistencies and enjoy it or grind your teeth in frustration.
Blu-ray Bonus Features
A few cast interviews and the film’s trailer are all you’ll find.
"Flypaper" is on sale November 15, 2011 and is not rated. Comedy, Drama, Thriller. Directed by Rob Minkoff. Written by Jon Lucas, Scott Moore. Starring Ashley Judd, Jeffrey Tambor, Mekhi Phifer, Patrick Dempsey, Tim Blake Nelson, Matt Ryan, John Ventimiglia, Pruitt Taylor Vince.
