LOOSIES

BRIEF REVIEW: LOOSIES is an often-lighthearted crime caper movie with some strong moral elements and a brief scene where the female lead devoutly prays silently for guidance in a Roman Catholic church. The movie is entertaining but marred artistically by too many scenes of the leads either running through New York City to evade police, or wandering the streets solemnly as they think about their circumstances. There’s also too much foul language.

Bobby is a handsome young pickpocket who steals wallets, cell phones and jewelry for a living. At first, he appears to be yet another carefree Hollywood antihero, whom the audience is supposed to cheer for his crimes. The movie reveals, however, that Bobby’s been forced into crime against his will, to protect his relatives when his father dies owing lots of money to a local crime leader.

Bobby meets and has a one-night-stand with Lucy, a beautiful bartender whom he gets pregnant. When he attempts to rekindle the romance without knowing she’s pregnant, he’s shocked to learn her circumstances. At first, he wants to take her to an abortion clinic and pay to kill the baby. Once there, however, he decides he can’t go through with the abortion and convinces her to leave.

Later they discuss that he is going to get out of crime, find a real job, and be a good husband and father. To do that, however, he has to engage in one last double-cross of his crime boss to get out from under his control. At the same time, he also has to figure out how to give a policeman the badge he stole and is accused of exploiting for criminal gain.

LOOSIES has some fun moments with its attractive leads and colorful supporting cast, including veteran oddball actor Vincent Gallo as the crime boss. The plot is often amusing and at times affecting. However, the script still feels underwritten. Thus, it relies on several noticeable montages of running or wandering through New York City to pad out its running time.

Yet, star Peter Facinelli, who also wrote the screenplay, and his costar, Jaimie Alexander, as Lucy, are appealing. Also, the movie takes a surprising and admirable pro-life turn when the couple ultimately refuses to get an abortion.

LOOSIES won’t set the box office on fire, but it’s loose-limbed, laidback fun with a nice moral twist. The negative content, including too much foul language, warrants extreme caution, however.