Not having a clue as to what this film was about, we took a chance when it showed on cable recently. It appears "High Heels and Low Lives", directed by comic actor Mel Smith, must have gone directly into video, or at least, we don't recall it having played commercially in the States.
The film offers an unusual pair of Thelma and Louise wannabes, who learn about a gang having a great fortune gotten from a robbery and decide to take things in their own hands to outsmart the criminals in order to steal their cash without much effort. Shannon, a nurse, befriends a struggling American actress, Frances, even teaching her how to speak with the proper accent. Both women succeed in unexpected ways to get away with the loot.
The film works because of the chemistry between Minnie Driver, who plays Shannon, and Mary McCormack, seen as Frances. This was a felicitous pairing because of the fun they must have had making the movie. Kevin McNally appears as Mason, a criminal without any redeeming qualities and who deserves to be outwitted by the women. Michael Gambon has a great time impersonating Kerrigan, an aging gay mobster. Mr. Gambon usually seen in heavier parts, contributes to the success of this movie that doesn't pretend to be anything but a fun time for the fans not looking into a complicated time with a DVD.
The film offers an unusual pair of Thelma and Louise wannabes, who learn about a gang having a great fortune gotten from a robbery and decide to take things in their own hands to outsmart the criminals in order to steal their cash without much effort. Shannon, a nurse, befriends a struggling American actress, Frances, even teaching her how to speak with the proper accent. Both women succeed in unexpected ways to get away with the loot.
The film works because of the chemistry between Minnie Driver, who plays Shannon, and Mary McCormack, seen as Frances. This was a felicitous pairing because of the fun they must have had making the movie. Kevin McNally appears as Mason, a criminal without any redeeming qualities and who deserves to be outwitted by the women. Michael Gambon has a great time impersonating Kerrigan, an aging gay mobster. Mr. Gambon usually seen in heavier parts, contributes to the success of this movie that doesn't pretend to be anything but a fun time for the fans not looking into a complicated time with a DVD.