When Marlon Brando uttered the immortal line "I got a one-way ticket to "Palookaville" (in "On the Waterfront"), he was referring to his current life as washed-up boxer, crumb and stooge for the mob, living out his life in a kind of moral limbo, doing rotten things and not quite realizing their import until it's too late. The creators of this fine, quirky film reputedly got the idea for their movie from the line quoted above. Their idea of "Palookaville" is a forgotten nothing of a town where oddballs and misfits abound and where a job in the local pizzeria constitutes a career. The movie centers around a trio of professional losers, whose attempt to rob a jewelry store nets them nothing but some pastry from the bakery they break into by mistake. Their efforts to hold up armored cars yield similar results. Nearly everyone in their orbit seems to be a screw up, including their hapless girlfriends. In spite of their criminal bent, our would-be crooks manage to be endearing (each robbery is going to be their "last job"), as is the entire movie. You find yourself rooting for them and when the intended burglary of the armored car gets them the town's highest honor (they did return the money, which makes them heroes to the town, which doesn't seem to realize what they were up to) you almost want to stand up and cheer. William Forsythe ("Gotti") anchors the film with his performance and his two dogs manage to steal several scenes. Vincent Gallo and Adam Trese are also fine as his accomplices, as is Frances McDormand, in a far-too-small role that for once emphasizes her good looks. This offbeat, comic film is definitely worth a look.

I loved all your critics. This movie deserves a great deal of honors. But I did not only love the film. I also listened to the beautiful music. I have been looking on the web but could not find anything about is. That in fact, I found it very strange, as the main theme came up over and over again, all the time slightly different. Really fantastically done. It supported the plot of the film in a strong way, sometimes sad, then funny and later melodramatic etc. Did anyone else listen too? And have a look at the end titles who made it? I forgot that stupid enough. Hope you can help, waiting for your reply...I guess it would help already to learn the composer, but any additional information would be most welcome too!

Basically this is one of the finest films I saw the year it came out. American indie comedy/character cinema at its best. The trouser sniffing scene almost got me ejected from the cinema for laughing too loudly. This movie is an absolute triumph. Around the same time I caught 'Big Night', 'The Daytrippers' & 'Buffalo 66' - all great films. If you liked any of them you'll love 'Palookaville'.

A trio of small town friends intent on pulling off a big-time burglary. Nothing in life seems to favor them and this heist won't either. The cast is young and fresh and the plot is humorous and exciting. Extremely watchable. Good flick for a pick-me up some night.