WHAT'S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN

US, 2001, 94 minutes, Colour.
Martin Lawrence, Danny De Vito, Jon Leguizamo, Glenne Hedley, Carmen Ejogo, Bernie Mac, Larry Miller, Nora Dunn, Richard Schiff, William Fichtner.
Directed by Sam Weisman.

It might be useful to admit that I saw this comedy on a plane. And I think it is that kind of film, a slight, raucous farce that serves as a star vehicle for the increasingly popular Martin Lawrence. He has been seen in Bad Boys, Nothing to Lose, Blue Streak and Big Momma amongst others. His best featured role was with Eddie Murphy in the prison comedy, Life. Here he meets his match in Danny de Vito who makes Lawrence look a little tall! Lawrence is a thief. De Vito is a sleazy business man, so who is good and who is bad? They try to outwit each other in the burglary and insurance stakes with a few laughs along the way. And that is about all that happens (except for a spot of romance).

From a novel by Donald Westlake, prolific author of such stories as The Hot Rock, Cops and Robbers, Two Much

It's not the best but it's not the worst either. Though one critic said the worst that could happen would be a sequel!

1. An amusing comedy? Crime thriller? Police investigation?

2. The title? Has applied to Kevin Caffrey, as applied to Max Fairbanks? Robberies, the stealing of the ring, the recovery of the ring?

3. The affluent world and mansions? The poorer world? Police precincts? The musical score?

4. Max Fairbanks, Danny De Vito’s character, short and demanding? Wealth, in need, in the mansion, his wife, the robbery, encountering Kevin, the confrontation, taking his ring, and his smug enjoyment of this?

5. Kevin, his robberies, going to art galleries, casing art, casing houses, his plans? Berger, his associate, his contribution, a bit slower in intelligence, comedy sequences? Going to Max’s house, the attempted robbery, the confrontation and his ring being stolen?

6. The consequences of the ring being stolen, his relationship with Amber? His determination to get the ring back? The devices that are used to get it? Berger and his help?

7. Kevin, his uncle, politics, the fence for stolen goods, his character, advice?

8. The detective, gay, the comedy, his manner, his activities, the investigation?

9. The world of Max, his associates, friends? The world of Kevin, associates, the crime world?

10. The buildup to the finale, Max covering for Kevin, the recovery of the ring?

11. A slight comedy, thriller, investigation? Star vehicles for the two stars?