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Unappreciated Gem of a Comedy

Bill Murray stars as a bank robber with a unique plan - he'll rob the bank dressed as a clown, but carry out the money taped to his body - and those of his two accomplices - "hostages" who have been released as a sign of good faith as certain potential getaway vehicles (2 helicopters, a motorcycle, a city bus, and a monster truck) are provided. The plan works perfectly as the gang makes their escape from the bank in plain sight.Then things go wrong.The movie contrasts the perfect execution of a difficult task - robbing a bank, and then getting out and past the police, with the terrible execution of a simple task - getting to the airport in time to catch a flight. In both stages, Murray provides the kind of humor associated with him, taking nothing seriously even in the tightest of situations.Jason Robbards provides an excellent contrast, as a chief of police who refuses to be outwitted by a smart-mouthed bank robber in a clown suit, who escaped from right under his nose.

Bill Murray as a clown, New York as his adversary and laughs

Bill Murray has matured from his SNL days through films like Quick Change. He is not over the top, the circumstances are hilarious, Geena David and Randy Quaid play off him well.Bill Murray working both sides of the camera I think also added another layer to his performance. Watch this and watch Lost in Translation and you can draw a line from A to B.As time goes on I think Bill Murray will gain more and more well deserved acclaim. The Hollywood and film snobs snif their noses because all they see is a clown. Let's see them get his laughs without other people suffering, profanity or demeaning others. (OK Quaid does get hurt in this movie as part of the comedy, but it's Quaid's laugh not Murray's).Geena Davis is great as usual. Another under rated performer. If you haven't seen the Accidental Tourist with William Hurt it is another demonstration of her skills.

Bill Murray's most Underrated Comic Creation.

"Quick Change" is Absolutely Hysterical. The 3 principle actors give the Performances of their Comedy Careers. Bill Murray also Co-directs, proving what a true cinema legend he is.

Bill Murray, Geena Davis and Randy Quaid star as 3 would-be Bank robbers who Succeed in their well-laid robbery plans, yet Fail in their plans for Escape. The Robbery is over in about 10 minutes of screen time, the rest of the film deals with their Futile Escape attempts from the Isle of Manhattan. Whatever could go wrong, does go wrong as they deal with Foreign Cab drivers, Slick Stick-up men, Gun wielding Couples, Malicious Mobsters and Determined Police.

Bill's Straight-faced Sarcastic comedy styling has Never been used to such full effect as they are here. The role suits him like James Bond suits Pierce Brosnan. Geena and Randy support him Wonderfully, as do Tony Shalhoub, Stanley Tucci, Jason Robards and Kurtwood Smith. The Writing and Directing are Snappy, Witty and Fast Paced.

"Quick Change" is Criminally Underrated. So many people I know have never heard of it, I show it to them and they Immediately Adore it. Everything in it works Perfectly and virtually Everyone should enjoy it.

A funny, yet often overlooked, movie...

An overlooked, and most likely long-ago forgotten film, Quick Change is a humorous bank robber comedy which more than adequately fills one's need for a great night of entertainment. Featuring a clever plotline (which surprisingly didn't spawn a series of bone-headed copycat crimes!), the movie employs the humorous antics of Bill Murray, Geena Davis, and Randy Quaid. With little to offer in the way of 'memorable' by cinematic standards (aside from the clever plot device), Quick Change is nevertheless a decidedly funny comedy unrelenting in its humor. If you've never heard of it, then it's definitely worth taking the time to check out...

When Grimm (Bill Murray) and his girlfriend Phyllis Potter (Geena Davis) decide to execute a daring mid-day bank robbery with their friend Loomis (Randy Quaid), the idea of getting away with the crime seems ludicrous to even the most casual of viewers. But in the end, it's the police department that comes off looking foolish.

Dressed like a clown, Grimm enters a local New York bank branch just before its afternoon closing. Barricading the doors and other entryways, he rounds up all the customers and employees, locking them inside the bank vault. With the New York City police department surrounding the building, a line of communication is set up by the police to negotiate the release of hostages with Grimm. With hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash now in his possession, Grimm and his partners (who have managed to secretly infiltrate the bank themselves and aid in the robbery) must find a way to escape from the bank and elude the massive manpower waiting outside.

But the three criminals have the perfect escape plan already in place. What they didn't plan for was facing the trials and travails of escaping New York City itself. Having pulled off the perfect crime and the perfect escape, they have hours of advance time to simply get on an airplane and flee the country. But the latter plan isn't so simple, and the three fugitives must race against a series of setbacks and pitfalls to avoid being caught by the police. Will they escape with all the cash? Will Grimm and Phyllis live happily ever after?


One of Bill Murray's least-appreciated films, Quick Change is 90 minutes of pure fun. The film also solidifies Randy Quaid's role as one of the top supporting actors in Hollywood. With a plot that will keep your imagination rolling (perhaps you'll even consider a better way to rob a bank) and some great comic scenes and one-liners, this movie is a blast. By no means is Quick Change one of the greatest films of all time, but it is a memorable and fun one. And for that reason, Quick Change is a definite must-see film...

The DVD Report

¡Flores! ¡Flores de los muertos!

It's always fun to introduce people to this movie. It doesn't take much, surprisingly few have seen it.

In a nutshell, a clown walks into a bank and robs it. It goes off without a hitch and he escapes with his two accomplices. All that's left is for them to make it to the airport and get out of the country. Sounds simple doesn't it?

I don't think anybody in the theater I saw this at was prepared for what followed. At the best of times, this movie is so hilarious you'll be doubled over in your seat. The "jousting" scene ranks as one of my favorite moments of screen comedy of all time. Yes, during the final arc of the film there are several flat scenes, but they're still pretty funny, and don't detract from the overall film.

See it for the wealth of abundance in it's details. Tony Shaloub's cab driver is burned into my brain. The music is upbeat, instantly recognizable. Jason Robards is unflappable. Watch the policeman pose for applause as he steps out of the monster truck. See a clown point a gun at a small dog.

Really, the best you can say about this movie is that it brings the funny. If you haven't seen it, go out and rectify the situation. And let's see a DVD! I'd love to hear some director's commentary on this.

Lots of funny moments make a great movie

Bill Murray proves that he can direct as well, and a first rate supporting cast (including TV's Monk Tony Shalhoub and Kirkwood Smith from that 70's show). Jason Robards plays the policeman trying to catch Quade, Murry and Davis who have robbed a bank.

The bank job is inspired but every attempt to leave the town end in a comic riot. I won't say more since we don't want to give it away. It is inspired lunacy and very much worth your while.

Buy it

One of the funniest movies ever made

Quick change is one movie that is extremely underrated. It has you laughing from start to finish. Bill Murray is hilarious in this film. I have been searching high and low for this DVD. I may have to settle for VHS.

Send in the clowns! An underrated comedy classic!

New York. Grimm, masked as a clown, manages to siege and rob a bank and get away with his two henchmen, Loomis and Phyliss, by cynically masking themselves as hostages. So far, so good…but the real problem is yet awaiting them – they have to get to the JFK airport to flee from the police. Easier said than done, because this is New York, a town full of traffic jams, weird people, taxi drivers which can't speak English… ------------------ Admitteldy, this is a simple crime comedy, but it's non the less excellent. Unlike „A fish called Wanda", „Quick change" avoids the over the top grotesque and brutal jokes and manages to be even somewhat humane and cute. The three main actors are irresistible, especially the cute Geena Davis and Bill Murray, the hilarious plot about how it's easier to rob a bank than to get somewhere on time in New York is amusing, the dynamic plot is short (85 minutes) and full of great dialogs ( You have a gun, why don't you shoot them?"-„I can't. These guys have fur, I'd need a permit, wouldn't I?").If I would have to name one joke that stands out, then that would be the whole sequence in which the bank trio accidentally enters a mob hideout. The mafia guys see them and want to shoot them. In order to save his skin, Grimm starts improvising and telling the mafia members that he is the new money collector for Mr. Lombino. He manages to play his role so good that they give him the money and escort the three of them outside. Then later on, after the mobster figure out they have been tricked they spot Grimm entering a bus and try to get him, but are caught by the police who were on the lookout for Grimm and his henchmen in the first place! Brilliant.Grade: 8/10

Above average movie

This stars Bill Murray, Geena Davis and Randy Quaid as bank robbers. They have to get out of NYC before the cops get them.

This is a short, fast-paced and fairly entertaining romp with great co-stars in it. I enjoyed seeing Kurtwood Smith (Red Foreman of That '70s Show) as a mobster. This is a fun movie to watch when you want to relax and not think about your problems.

What Kind of a Clown are you anyway?

The Bank security guard asks Grimm after he blocks the
door open with his size 20 Clown Shoe.
Grimm's response:

"The crying-on-the-inside kind I guess!"
is a classic! It's been an inside family joke

since my wife and I saw it long ago. This
film is a good mix of humor and crime caper
and has strong supporting performances by Randy Quaid
and Geena Davis and by Jason Robards as the determined
detective hot on their trail. But I won't ruin it
by saying any more. Worth adding to your collection,
especially if you are a fan of Bill Murray's.
P.S. I meant to give it Four Stars!

...and let me tell you, I HATE knives.

Jason loves this movie. Hap Jason.

Awesome Movie, lousy DVD features

Awesome movie!! Very excited that it's finally on DVD. I was actually lucky enough to see this in the theater in 1990. With that being said, they DVD features are pretty lousy. No commentary, no bonus or deleted scenes, and not even a 5.1 mix. Great picture and sound transfer though. This DVD appears to be run in a "clean and hygienic fashion".

still just as great after 11 years

I just saw this one again last night. Still brilliant after all these years. I think this movie, along with Groundhog Day, are two of Bill Murray's best. The story is excellent and sure-footed, something that is really lacking from almost every movie nowadays.

Don't miss out on this hilarious movie!

This movie is really great. It's got a great cast, a very funny story, and some clever writing. But it's been so ignored; and I can't understand why!
I never see it on TV, and it's not available on DVD; it's hardly ever mentioned anywhere! Every time I go buy DVDs, I look for this one, hoping that maybe this time it'll be there. It hasn't been so far, and it's always a let-down. It's a tremendously funny movie, which I'd love to have in my collection! And if you like to laugh, then you'd be doing yourself a favor to pick this one up! Especially if you're a fan of Murray or Quaid. But even if you're not, you couldn't watch this one and not laugh. As someone else commented, this is a shamefully "underrated gem." So here's my plea to the people who decide such things: PUT QUICK CHANGE ON DVD!!! PLEASE! I WANT IT!

Truly one of the most underrated movies ever

I don't blame Bill Murray for being angry with Warner Bros. for not promoting this movie. Quick Change is one of the most underrated films I have ever seen.Murray, Geena Davis and Randy Quaid are hysterical at every turn with their own neuroses. If you live in new York City and have not seen this movie--get off your a**. You will find yourself in tears laughing at the quips on the city and the people who live there. It's truly a shame that QC didn't get the box office treatment that Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day did. Because I think it's funnier than both. (And this is coming from a HUGE fan of both.) Please see this movie. You will not be sorry.

Overlooked gem

Somehow, this crime caper comedy from the master himself, Bill Murray, is often overlooked. The most memorable sequence comes at the beginning, as Murray robs a bank dressed as a clown, and manages to get out again through the police by ingenious methods. He then goes on the run with his accomplices, and it becomes a comic chase movie. A step away from the super-high concepts he often utilised (Groundhog Day), this could have been made in the 1950s, but is all the better for being made when it was.

where's the dvd?

Very funny movie, great cast and story.

No one does it like Bill Murray!

This is the funniest movie I have seen. If you like Bill Murray's sarcasm this is a must see. Randy Quaid adds physical comedy while Geena Davis basically just exists. But Murray is the real treat in this movie. The romantic play between Davis and Murray is boring but Murray brings you back with a great one-liner. The cab-driver is pretty funny too. Don't miss this one! END

Quick Change

I have been waiting on this classic to be release on DVD for ever. A very good movie that did not get its props. Bill Murray should have gotten an oscar for his performance. Well just my humble opinion.

Another Murray Classic

Although not very well known, this remains one of Bill Murray's funniest & most original films. Feeling frustrated with his life and NYC in general, a city planner comes up with the perfect bank robbery scheme, with the help of his girlfriend and best friend. Getting away with the money ends up being the easiest part of their day. Everything imaginable that can go wrong, does as the three attempt to make it to the airport. Quaid is especially good as the dimbulb best friend, and Murray is dead-on perfect as the subdued brains behind the almost perfect crime. Murray also co-directed.

Highly underrated, & more then worth checking out.