Life of Crime is a story full of eccentric characters, black comedy and unexpected twists.
An incredible cast of actors bring the characters to life in writer/director Daniel Schechter’s adaptation of legendary author Elmore Leonard’s novel The Switch. Jennifer Aniston, Tim Robbins and John Hawkes are joined by Yasiin Bey, Mark Boone Junior, Isla Fisher and Will Forte.
The main characters in Life of Crime are a multi-millionaire real estate developer and his beautiful wife and child.
There’s also a pair of inept kidnappers, a Nazi sympathiser, a witless country club Lothario and an ambitious bombshell – all in one outsized caper.
At the heart of the story is Mickey, the sweet and pretty girl- next-door who has grown into a lonely and repressed housewife and discovered that playing by the rules doesn’t guarantee happiness.
Jennifer Aniston, whose post-Friends career has seen her in a number of substantial roles, is Mickey.
Her dreams of happily-ever-after have been systematically shattered by years of marital neglect. The actress describes the film and its setting as fun and dark. “It’s a comedy thriller that kind of winks at the audience, but there are also moments that are truly terrifying,” she says.
The kidnappers are played by Oscar-nominated John Hawkes and the rapper/actor previously known as Mos Def, Yasiin Bey.
A black comedy with unexpected twists
“Bey was always my top choice,” says Schechter, “then somebody mentioned John Hawkes as a poss-ibility for Louis, his partner in crime. John liked the script and suddenly we had our Louis and Ordell. It felt like exactly the right tone for the film I wanted to make.”
Oscar-winning actor and director Tim Robbins was cast as Mickey’s neglectful husband, Frank. Robbins acknowledges that his character is a bit of a dinosaur.
“Frank is a ‘60s guy, but an alternate ‘60s to the one we usually talk about,” says Robbins.
“He is country-club ‘60s and he doesn’t have a transformation. I’m guessing he’s a Dean Martin/Frank Sinatra kind of guy. Frank’s ideal life married to Mickey isn’t working out… so he has an affair with Melanie, a much younger woman played by Isla Fisher.
“Melanie is very complex,” the actress says. “She’s kind of the brains, meaning she’s marginally less stupid than some of the other characters. It’s a great, fun role to play because she’s a classic femme fatale, but we’ve given her a little bit of a twist.”
Rounding up the cast are Mark Boone Junior as Richard, a Nazi memorabilia collector, and Will Forte as Marshall, the Dawsons’ neighbour.
The cast, says Schechter, was everything he could ask for. “It was pretty amazing working with these actors.”
“To be able to lead a group of such highly-recognisable and accomplished professionals has been a bit surreal.
“Not only have I been able to see my dream project become a reality, I have seen it come to life with the best possible actor in every role.”