Quick Change (1990)

The star of Caddyshack Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day headlines and co-directs this uproarious Big Apple heist-and-pursuit caper. Bill Murray plays Grimm a frazzled urbanite who disguises himself as a clown - and sets out to rob a bank. Geena Davis and Randy Quaid play accomplices in Grimm's daring scheme and Jason Robards is the blustery cop caught up in Grimm's "Clown Day Afternoon." Swiping a million bucks is a snap compared to getting out of town. Grimm and cohorts commandeer a car a cab a bus a baggage tram and a plane (and encounter future stars Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub in hilarious supporting roles) to make what becomes for them a less-than-merry escape. But for comedy lovers Quick Change is a ticket to ride!Running Time: 89 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY UPC: 085393963125 Manufacturer No: 39631 Product Description

Strangely overlooked gem

4 stars (why can't we change star ratings after putting the wrong one in?)

I still can't understand why more folks don't know about this flick, one of Bill's better moments. That he also co-directed etc makes it even more impressive. Anyone at all familiar with New York in the 80s will crack up at the Apple humor (this movie is a sly hate letter to NYC), but the plot and its twists are the real stars here, along with all three leads (though Quaid is so good at being annoying that he really becomes annoying!). It starts out fast and slows down, but its 90-minute length keeps it from getting boring. Funny, suspenseful, smart and unique, with a great ending, Quick Change deserves more respect. May 19, 2008

All we have going for us is the City

"Quick Change" is just as exciting as it is funny!

This little-known 1990 movie stars Bill Murray who's also wearing another hat as director (as Grimm, the harried NYer,) Geena Davis (as Phyllis Potter) and Randy Quaid (Loomis.) Rounding out the cast in some very comical roles are Jason Robards (as Rotzinger) and Richard Joseph Paul (as Lt. Jameson.)

"Quick Change" has to be one of my all-time, top-five favorite movies because it is so incredibly hilarious and clever. Bill Murrary is especially stupefying. He just has such perfect timing and such perfect face expressions. (I love when Grimm says to the lady on the bus, who's busy shaving a man's head, "you're gonna even that out.") This film is also Mr. Murray's directorial debut and if I didn't know any better I would swear that he has been doing this for years.

The movie is basically the proverbial wish for anyone in NY; get the hell out of the city with a huge bag of money! With the help of his girlfriend, Phyllis, and his brother, Loomis, Grimm attempts to make all his dreams come true!

Some of the funniest, laugh-till-you-can't-stop clips were in the beginning after the clown (Grimm) locks everyone inside the vault. I love it when Phyllis says, "you're all a bunch of pussies" as she's apparently playing along as one of the innocent victims. BTW, when it comes on TV, they replace pussies with "patsies" which sounds even more funny!

Once the gang hit the road they have a few pratfalls and wind up getting lost. I couldn't stop laughing when they stumbled across that jousting match with the two gentlemen with the hoes on the bikes. Loomis tries to ask them for directions, before racing off saying, "it's bad luck just seeing a thing like that..." And, incidentally, did you notice how they just couldn't find their bearing? This is totally believable because NY is horrible driving in. The part where they stopped to ask the construction men for directions was also too comical. Grimm asks them for directions (as they're taking down the signs,) and one of the guys says, "I'm not from around here," just as a lady from across the street screams out the window to them, "shuuuuuuuuuut uuuuup."

After being held up at gunpoint (the crook only got 4 bucks!) Grimm, Phyllis and Loomis go to Phyllis' apartment to change. As they're changing Hal (played by the late, great Phil Hartman) walks in (who is the new tenant) and pulls a gun out as he yells to his wife, "we were held up three times in the Village, I'm not gonna let it happen again." Of course Grimm is able to talk his way out of it though!

They finally find a taxi, but he is pretty out of it. Tony Shalhoub plays the cab driver, an innocent, yet very inept person who doesn't know what the meaning of a red traffic light is! When Loomis sees another cab he opens the door and jumps out; as the car is moving!!

I also love the part when Grimm and co. walk into that old abandoned building (that the mob is occupying!) And Johnny (Stanley Tucci) points a gun on Grimm and says, "this ain't my d-i-c-k in your back," and Grimm says without even blinking, "that's a relief."

They finally make it to Kennedy and decide to split up. Grimm and Loomis go in the men's room to hide their money; as Grimm says, "those darn terrorists make it tough for us bank robbers." As Grimm and Loomis were sharing a stall (Loomis could barely walk after jumping out of the cab) an old man looks on in disgust and says, "you people can keep this city!" Aparently he was disgusted by those noises Loomis was making as Grimm was helping to undress him to get the money taped to his body! Sooooooooooo funny!!!

...With Loomis in a wheelchair, they go rolling for their lives as they run onto the plane, in just the nick of time! Just as they enter the jet, the miserable stewardess says to Grimm, "you think you're late enough." And Grimm says, "oh you must be from around here." I loooooove it!! It just can't get any better than that!!

I have absolutely no idea why the movie is rated-R though? Except for a couple of F words, there is really nothing in this that anyone would find objectionable. If you enjoyed this movie, you may want to pick up the book that it's based on. If you'd like to see Billy Murray (why he has not won an Oscar yet is mind-boggling!) in another awesome movie, I highly recomend What About Bob?.

"Quick Change" is just such a masterful movie for anyone who enjoys comedy, satire, and fast-moving, action pictures! It's never dull and never slow-moving!
February 17, 2008

A Really Great Comedy

One of the funniest, most entertaining movies I've ever seen. Another really good comedy is Weekend at Bernie's. December 26, 2007

BEHIND THE WHITE LINE!

Ever since I saw this movie on cable back in 1991 I always loved it.It's a great comic caper movie with some memorable characters, witty dialogue & tense,edge of your seat moments.Bill Murray, as always,is excellant as the mastermind of the heist & Randy Quaid is cast perfectly as his nervous sidekick.Jason Robards gives a commanding performance as the police chief determined to take "The Clown" down.On a side note, the scene in the conveniance store was filmed around the corner from my house at 124th st. & Jamaica Avenue in the George Washington Food Mart in Richmond Hill N.Y. August 10, 2007

My favorite Bill Murray vehicle

Although Stripes runs a close second, this is my favorite Bill Murray movie. It's not for everyone,it is sarcastic humour and the movie is quirky and odd. A great supporting cast and since i have not seen it mentioned on here by anyone it features the late Phil Hartman in a spot with his wife who stumble across Bill,Genna and Quaid helping them selves to their clothes in their apartment. Tony Shaloub plays a taxi driver who can't get the robbers to the airport because he doesn't understand or speak a word of english. Gee i wonder if the people casting Wings saw this movie? June 22, 2007

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