The Big Bounce (2004)

This is a remake of the pretty awful 1969 movie of the same title.  I read recently that Elmore Leonard who wrote the original book was asked which of the movies based on his books was the worst; he replied that the first movie was the second worst and that the remake takes the number one spot.

Well, it's not quite as bad as all that although I see no reason for making the film again.  Owen Wilson assumes the Ryan O'Neal role of the amoral but charming thief, a part he could play in his sleep, but the rest of the heavyweight casting is mis-used.  Morgan Freeman, Gary Sinise and Bebe Neuwirth are totally wasted and there is even one scene featuring Willie Nelson and Harry Dean Stanton where all they do is play cards (if they figured in the action, it must have ended up on the cutting room floor.)  There is also a female lead that I never heard of previously whose sole function seems to be to be seen in a constant change of skimpy outfits. But that is not the big bounce of the title!!