THE OUT-LAWS

US, 2023, 95 minutes, Colour.

Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Poorna Jagannathan, Richard Kind, Julie Hagerty, Lauren Lapkus, Lil Rel Howery.

Directed by Tyler Spindel.

If Adam Sandler had been younger when this film was being made, he would have taken the central role. In fact, this comedy comes from his Happy Madison company and plays very much like one of his comedies.

Comedian Adam Devine takes Sandler’s place as Owen, pleasantly genial, bank manager, engaged to yoga instructor, Parker (Nina Dobrev.). He has very stuffy and suspicious parents, Richard Kind and Julie Hagerty. In fact, this film is noted for its star power, especially Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin as the in-laws/out-laws, bank robbers. And Michael Rooker appears as the veteran FBI investigator.

So, there is some raucous comedy with the behaviour of the in-laws. And there are some serious tones with the in-laws/out-laws as the Ghost Bandits, bank robbers, teaming up with criminals, the effecting of a robbery, pursued by the FBI. Owen has his suspicions and confides them to his fiancee.

What happens is enjoyably complicated, giving information to the FBI and his being set up. However, criminals abducting his fiancee and demanding a ransom, his teaming up with the criminals for them to rob a bank mean twists. He hides in the vault, escapes, gets the money, returns to the vault. And the outlaws surrender.

Happy finale, the wedding, the in-laws able to come to the wedding – but Owen slipping a paperclip into their piece of cake for a further escape!

1. The title, an amusing pun?
2. From Adam Sandler’s company, tone, comic style, satire, broad comedy?
3. The American town, homes, banks…? Musical score?
4. The home situation, Owen and Parker, engaged, bank manager, yoga instructor, ordinary life? Owen as the young Adam Sandler style character?
5. The preparation for the marriage, the prospect of the in-laws arriving, Parker happy, unhappy? Owen’s parents, their harsh attitudes, ignorance, criticisms of Parker? The dinner, Owen and the issues of storage, plans? Rehan and the criminal listening in?
6. At work, the bank vault, the prank and freeing the victim, Owen’s help, knowledge?
7. The arrival of the in-laws, calling themselves Lily and Billy, the star power of Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin? Breezing in, no explanations, the day out with Owen, the tattooes, drinking, the skydiving?
8. The bank robbery, Owen and the hangover, his noticing the clues, his growing suspicions about the Ghost Bandits?
9. Oldham, the FBI agent, pursuing the Ghost Bandits, his intensity?
10. Owen, his theories about his in-laws, confiding in Parker, her response?
11. Rehan, the meetings with the in-laws, the deals?
12. Owen, with Oldham, the truth, the set-ups?
13. The criminals, the abduction of Parker, the demands?
14. Owen, teaming with the in-laws, the discussions with Phoebe the bank manager, learning the details of the faults, the exits? His being locked in? The robbery, success, Owen escaping, yet getting the money, putting it back in the vault?
15. The arrest, Oldham allowing the couple out for the wedding celebrations, the surrender – but Owen putting the paperclip in the cake?