Life of Crime

Two small time crooks hatch a plan to kidnap the wife of a crooked real estate mogul hoping for a big ransom, only to learn the job behind this scheme is messier than they imagined. Mickey Dawson, the targeted wife, finds herself caught between fear and cunning, while her husband Ordell Robbie, a sharp, ruthless fixer, toys with the poor fools as the plan goes wrong in funny and dangerous ways. The caper unfolds with dry humor and noir mood with sly warmth as schemes collide and loyalties wobble. Soon the lines between victim and conspirator blur, and the plan spins into a web of double crosses and uneasy bargains. The humor lands without shouting, keeping danger and wit in balance.

Directed by Daniel Schechter, Life of Crime is an adaptation drawn from Elmore Leonard's novel. The ensemble includes Jennifer Aniston, John Hawkes, Isla Fisher and Yasiin Bey, produced with a modest budget around 12 million that helped shape its tone.

Box office performance was limited, recording a worldwide gross of about $265,452, underscoring its narrow release and independent genre appeal. The numbers suggest the film found its audience more in home viewing than in crowded theaters, even with steady streaming.

Cultural footprint is modest. The film stands out for its star pairing and Elmore Leonard lineage rather than spawning catchphrases or iconic scenes. It adds a retro sensibility to a contemporary crime caper, appreciated by fans of the author and the director. It remains a modest footnote in Leonard's filmography.

Reception skewed toward a laid back entertaining vibe rather than high stakes tension. The film toys with greed and loyalty in a story that balances humor with a noir mood, letting strong performances from Aniston and Hawkes color the caper. Some critics noted steady pacing and reliable tonal control throughout.