Palookaville (film)

Palookaville, a 2003 American crime comedy film directed by Alan Taylor and starring William Forsythe, Vincent Gallo, and Adam Trese. The film is based on the short stories Eddie Karras Lost, Home, and Palookaville by Italo Calvino, adapted and combined into a single narrative by screenwriter David Epstein.

The film follows three lifelong friends – Sid, Russ, and Jerry – living in a working-class town. Dissatisfied with their lives and struggling to make ends meet, they decide to rob a jewelry store. Their inept planning and execution lead to a series of comical misadventures. They accidentally tunnel into a bakery next door instead, which they then attempt to run as a legitimate business, all the while dreaming of bigger, more elaborate heists. The film explores themes of desperation, friendship, and the often-misguided pursuit of the American dream. Despite their best intentions, the characters consistently undermine their own efforts, often with humorous results. The film is characterized by its quirky humor and the portrayal of its characters as well-meaning but ultimately flawed individuals.