The makers of this film are under some sort of a delusion that kidnapping is a picnic. That perhaps people who imprison people against their will in order to extort money are somehow also born with a soul. Allow me this opportunity to rebut: bullshit.
Sorry, I just have very little regard for kidnappers and torturers; I, quite honestly, hold murderers in higher esteem. At least then it’s over for somebody. For those of who have the ability to see kidnappers as human and not vile slimeballs replete with puss-filled manure at the core and thriving on a sadistic pleasure intended only for the rulers of the ninth circle of Hell, parts of Life of Crime can be fun. Ordell (Mos Def) and Louis (John Hawkes) play the “masterminds” here, doing the dirty work in order to extort $1 M from crooked businessman Frank (Tim Robbins). As this is 1978, $1 M is a lot of money. Ordell is a very low-key hoodlum and Louis is a downright decent man. Richard (Mark Boone Junior), the owner of the kidnap house, is a prick. But the film allows him to be a prick and work with the two more decent fellows. In an early scene, we’re introduced to a tremendous amount of Nazi memorabilia Richard’s dad claimed in WWII. Included in this treasure trove of historical hatred is an extremely bigoted remark delicately painted on wood and framed in the kitchen. Mos Def’s casual dismissal of said remark is pretty damn funny on a few levels.
I like how Daniel Schechter here took slight, but not full, advantage of era – Life of Crime makes use of the lack of cell phones and easy plane travel to create and solve problems, but the film didn’t go overboard with the styles we associate with the decade – Jennifer Aniston neither has feathers, nor her hair up in curlers, every night. Tim Robbins’ lapels are perfectly acceptable widths. The people at an indoor tennis club are not wearing, essentially, hot pants.
Mickey (Aniston) is the kidnapee. They bag her head upon arrival and then keep it bagged for a full half hour or more until she gets wise and realizes she’s not in real danger from Ordell or Louis. Then we get to see her face again. And thank goodness, 
because that’s one of the clear violations of movie law – if Jennifer Aniston is in your film, SHOW JENNIFER ANISTON. Do not show a bag. It’s just common sense, people. The plot thickens when we realize that Frank is being manipulated by his mistress, Melanie (Isla Fisher). It’s a good bet she figures the demise of Mickey actually works to her advantage.
So. Hey. Humor. Husband is a prick. Mistress wants to keep the money for herself. Perpetrators are criminals, but amateurs when it comes to kidnapping. Life of Crime could be seen as a study in “what is leverage worth?” as nobody in the film ever seems to have any. I don’t think it’s a good film even if you can envision kidnappers with souls (I’m rating this as if one sees the humanity rather than the evil). But only the most depraved of minds can find humor in the terrible, terrible ending.
Rachel abducted straight from home
With nary a curler or even a comb
Hey, don’t you mind
These men are kind
Thank goodness for Stockholm Syndrome
Rated R, 98 Minutes
D: Daniel Schechter
W: Daniel Schechter
Genre: “Check it out; I made another Fargo.” “No, you didn’t.”
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Kidnappers?
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: The sane
