Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- sardonic
- good natured
- casual movie night
- crime comedy double feature
What critics said
Critics generally found it an engaging, good-natured comedic crime adaptation elevated by strong ensemble performances, though less energetic and memorable than Jackie Brown.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Louis and Ordell abduct Mickey expecting Frank to pay, but Frank's affair with Melanie undermines the plan.
The film emphasizes bracing humor and low-key criminal behavior rather than melodramatic violence.
The film adapts Elmore Leonard's novel and was specifically praised for its authentically Leonardesque comedic crime style.
Frank's relationship with Melanie makes Mickey's kidnapping less valuable to him than the criminals assume.
Films like Life of Crime, and why
Jackie Brown
shared comedic crime caper structure, kidnapping plot, and dry elmore leonard tone
Out of Sight
shared low-key criminal schemes, sardonic humor, and morally compromised characters
Ruthless People
shared ransom comedy, bungled criminals, and darkly playful ensemble dynamics
The Big Lebowski
shared kidnapping premise, comic tension, and criminal characters caught in escalating complications
Movie Details
- Director
- Daniel Schechter
- Release Date
- 2013-09-14
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (441)
Cast
- Jennifer Aniston
- John Hawkes
- Yasiin Bey
- Isla Fisher
- Will Forte
- Tim Robbins
- Mark Boone Junior
- Kevin Cannon
- Julie E. Davis
- Seana Kofoed
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Life of Crime about?
- A dry, low-key kidnapping caper turns a wealthy husband's infidelity into the criminals' biggest obstacle.
- What is Life of Crime like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Life of Crime as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Life of Crime violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Life of Crime as mild.
- What did critics think of Life of Crime?
- Critics generally found it an engaging, good-natured comedic crime adaptation elevated by strong ensemble performances, though less energetic and memorable than Jackie Brown.
- Which films are like Life of Crime?
- Films with a similar feel include Jackie Brown, Out of Sight, Ruthless People, and The Big Lebowski.
- How long is Life of Crime?
- Life of Crime runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch Life of Crime?
- In United States, Life of Crime streams on Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
