A Man, a Woman, and a Bank

Watch A Man, a Woman, and a Bank

"The two least likely bank robbers in the known universe plan and execute... kind of... the ultimate heist."
  • PG
  • 1979
  • 1 hr 40 min
  • 5.7  (528)

In the 1979 comedy-crime film, A Man, a Woman, and a Bank, Donald Sutherland stars as a down-on-his-luck salesman named Reese whose life has been a string of failures. But when his wife leaves him and takes their daughter with her, Reese finds himself at a crossroads. Desperate to prove himself, Reese concocts a plan to rob a bank with the help of a sexy teller named Ellie, played by Brooke Adams.

The setup for the heist is simple enough: Reese has a gun, a plan, and a getaway car. Ellie is there to help him get past the security systems and access the vault. But, as with all heist movies, things quickly spiral out of control. Reese and Ellie soon find themselves in over their heads as they try to evade the authorities and outsmart their criminal accomplice, played by director Paul Mazursky.

Donald Sutherland delivers a standout performance as Reese, the hapless loser with a heart of gold. He brings a sense of vulnerability to the character that makes us root for him even as he makes bad decisions. Brooke Adams is equally impressive as the seductive Ellie, who is more than just a pretty face. She is clever, resourceful, and, ultimately, just as desperate as Reese for a way out of her dead-end job and mundane life.

A Man, a Woman, and a Bank is a classic heist movie in the sense that it follows the traditional formula of a group of bad guys planning a daring robbery. But what sets it apart from other films in the genre is the way it balances the suspenseful action with moments of humor and heart. There are plenty of tense moments as Reese and Ellie pull off their scheme, but there are also moments of levity that keep things from getting too dark.

The film also features some creative visuals, such as a scene where Reese and Ellie climb up to the top of the bank's roof and dangle precariously over the edge while trying to break in. There's also a memorable car chase scene where Reese is pursued by a fleet of police officers through the streets of Los Angeles.

At its core, A Man, a Woman, and a Bank is a story about people who are desperate for a way out. Reese wants to prove himself to his ex-wife and win back his daughter's affection. Ellie wants to escape her dead-end job and the monotony of her life. And even the criminal mastermind behind the heist, played by Mazursky, is motivated by a desire for a fresh start.

The movie is also notable for its portrayal of Los Angeles in the late 1970s. The city is shown as a sprawling, chaotic metropolis where anything can happen. The film's iconic final shot, of Reese and Ellie driving down the freeway with bags of cash in the back seat, perfectly encapsulates the sense of freedom and possibility that was so intoxicating about L.A. at the time.

In conclusion, A Man, a Woman, and a Bank is a clever and entertaining heist movie that stands the test of time. Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams deliver strong performances, and director Paul Mazursky brings a sense of humor and humanity to the story of desperate people plotting a daring robbery. If you're a fan of heist movies, or simply looking for a fun and suspenseful ride, this film is definitely worth a watch.

A Man, a Woman, and a Bank is a 1979 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.

A Man, a Woman, and a Bank
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Where to Watch A Man, a Woman, and a Bank
A Man, a Woman, and a Bank is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download on demand at . Some platforms allow you to rent A Man, a Woman, and a Bank for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1979
  • MPAA Rating
    PG
  • Runtime
    1 hr 40 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.7  (528)
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