TWO IF BY SEA

US, 1996, 96 minutes, Colour.
Denis Leary, Sandra Bullock, Stephen Dillaine, Yaphet Kotto, Mike Starr, Jonathan Tucker, Michael Badalucco.
Directed by Bill Bennett.


Australian director, Bill Bennett's first US movie, with the vivacious Sandra Bullock, and Denis Leary in a comedy that he wrote. The plot is corny, Leary's screenplay corny and, sometimes, crass and even Sandra Bullock finds it hard to shine (but she does have some moments). Some critics said that the movie was `two all at sea'. Moderately entertaining.

1. Romantic comedy? Heist story? Inept crooks? The FBI?

2. The locations, the Massachusetts setting? The overtones of Boston? The Boston jokes? The title?

3. The relationship between Frank and Roz? Seven years? Their personalities? Not as quick-witted as others? Love, wanting to settle down? Frank and his criminal associates? The last robbery?

4. The opening, the speeding, Roz and Frank arguing, the police pursuit, eluding the police? Their going to the robbery? Doing it early? In the town, Roz finding the letters, going to the empty house? The visit from Evan Marsh and their reassuring him? The visit for the young boy who was to look after things? The arrival of the local police?

5. Their enjoying of the house, settling in, on the water – and Frank being sick? Evan and the party, hospitality? Enjoying the luxury, the television?

6. Beano and his colleagues? Frank wanting some money after losing his wallet? The plans for the selling of the picture? The wait? Everybody discovering the picture was valuable? Beano and his associates, their personalities, arguments? Their decision to go for the sale of the picture?

7. Evan, the boat, his approach to Roz? Suave neighbour?

8. The FBI, Agent O’Malley? and his being black? His pursuit of the thief? The fake death? His colleagues thinking he was obsessed? His associates - and the touch of the dumb response? Going to the town, getting the information, the rendezvous, taking Frank and Roz? The investigations? The lead for the original thief? Being in on the action – and letting Frank and Roz off? Grateful to them?

9. The setup for the meeting, the police, the FBI, Beano, his associates? Todd and his helping out?

10. Todd, looking after the house, friendly with Frank, throwing ball, helping him?

11. The interrogations in jail, Roz keeping quiet, Frank declaring his love, telling the truth?

12. The house, Marsh and his gallery, the reproductions, Frank finding the secret room, his being the thief that O’Mallley? was after?

13. The happy ending, Roz getting Frank to swear that he would settle down and get a job?