Bandits

PG-13

Released Oct 12, 2001

2 hr. 2 min.

Comedy

List

64%

135 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Joe (Bruce Willis) and Terry (Billy Bob Thornton) have escaped from prison. Cutting a swath from Oregon through California, these fugitives rob banks in order to finance their scheme for a new -- and somewhat legitimate -- life south of the border. Unfortunately, things get more complicated when they meet Kate Wheeler (Cate Blanchett), who runs into Terry with her car. Kate joins the bandits on their cross-country spree, and eventually she steals something, too: their hearts.

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Critics Consensus

The story may not warrant its lengthy running time, but the cast of Bandits makes it an enjoyable ride.

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Alec B

A potentially fun concept that's crippled by poor pacing. Levinson never really gets the tone right and I think the movie could stand to lose about 20 minutes.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/13/23

Full Review

Thomas S

Breezy and funny with a scene stealing performance by Troy Garity

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/05/23

Full Review

Jeff K

This film is good old fashioned storytelling fun. All three leads are outstanding for their characters, bit to me Billy Bob Thornton steals the show. He pulls off the bright but incredibly quirky hypochondriac spectacularly. "Bandits" went right to the top of two of my lists: favorite films and guilty pleasures.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/02/23

Full Review

George R

Escapist humor either serves that purpose or it doesn't. Most annoying is that Billy Bob Thornton is completely out of his element. He can probably do comedy but it's really not his forte. Because he is not amusing the movie fails as he has a rather large part in it., Bruce Willis appears to want to get this movie over with as soon as possible. Pick up a paycheck and wait for something better to come along. Cate Blanchett is surprisingly adept in her role. The movie is cited as a comedy, but she actually plays her role rather seriously and that in my opinion saves the movie. Because it was not overly amusing from the beginning. Perhaps she was aware of this and decided to move it in another direction. In either case, these are fairly early attempts for all three actors with Blanchett clearly coming out ahead of the other two. But if it's what you're looking for, namely, escapism, grab some popcorn, sit down with your favorite beverage, and fall asleep on the sofa before it's over. If you're an insomniac, your mission has been accomplished.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/22/23

Full Review

Manuel S

Maybe first part is better but fun all time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Roger L

A lot of humour and some action in this movie. Very good acting by Cate Blanchett (as usual) and Billy Bob Thornton. Even Bruce Willis is quite ok (surprisingly). I love the scen where Blanchett is making dinner for her husband. However the story is a bit strange.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

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Barry Levinson

Director

Bruce Willis

Joe Blake

Billy Bob Thornton

Terry Collins

Cate Blanchett

Kate Wheeler

Troy Garity

Harvey Pollard

Brian F. O'Byrne

Darill Miller

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Adults will get this movie, but kids won't.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Keith Uhlich

ToxicUniverse.com

Bandits' most intriguing plot line, the three-way love story, merely hints at the complexity of a two-man/one-woman relationship and never moves past the initial stages of cuteness and adolescent eroticism.

Rated: 1.5/5

Sep 30, 2003

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

Tries hard to be a quirky comedy -- God, does it try.

Rated: 1.5/4

Mar 26, 2016

Full Review

Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 3/5

Aug 7, 2008

Full Review

Christopher Smith

Bangor Daily News (Maine)

Terrible. A substitute for sleep medication that's so self-indulgent and plodding, it drove four people out of my screening midway through.

Rated: D

Aug 5, 2007

Full Review

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Synopsis

Joe (Bruce Willis) and Terry (Billy Bob Thornton) have escaped from prison. Cutting a swath from Oregon through California, these fugitives rob banks in order to finance their scheme for a new -- and somewhat legitimate -- life south of the border. Unfortunately, things get more complicated when they meet Kate Wheeler (Cate Blanchett), who runs into Terry with her car. Kate joins the bandits on their cross-country spree, and eventually she steals something, too: their hearts.

Director: Barry Levinson
Executive Producer: Patrick McCormick, Harley Peyton, David Willis
Screenwriter: Harley Peyton
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Studio Canal, Cheyenne Enterprises, Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Hyde Park Entertainment, Empire Pictures, Lotus Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexual Content|Language|Violence)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 12, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $41.5M
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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