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Chain of fools

Threat advisory: Elevated - Significant risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

Why should smart people get all the money?

Have you ever had a day when things go so badly you think they could never get any worse - and then they do? For Kresk (Steve Zahn), the world's worst barber, most days are like that. But on one particular day things really take a turn for the worse. His landlord evicts him, his wife Karen (Lara Flynn Boyle) divorces him and runs off with their marriage counsellor, and his life is literally threatened by a customer, Avnet (Jeff Goldblum), a lowlife con who was involved in the heist of some priceless ancient coins.

Kresk's life is in peril when he overhears a conversation between Avnet and his accomplice, Bollingsworth (Tom Wilkinson), a greedy billionaire whom Avnet has decided to blackmail. Kresk narrowly escapes being shot when Avnet accidentally - and fatally - injures himself.

With nothing left to lose or live for, Kresk seizes Avnet's gun. He learns the whereabouts of the coins and assumes the courage to take destiny into his own hands - nothing is going to stop him. But pandemonium ensues when Kresk enlists the help of his old friend Andy Brauer (David Cross), hires his own hit-man (Elijah Wood) to bump someone off and discovers that his bratty nephew Scottie (Devon Drewitz) has swallowed the precious coins.

Kresk's activities set off a chain of events that brings police Sergeant Meredith Kolko (Salma Hayek) onto the case of the missing coins. And matters get even more complicated when Kresk realises he's in love with Sergeant Kolko. Now Kresk faces his ultimate dilemma - which will it be, the cop or the coins?

Persons of interest

Steve Zahn .... Kresk
Salma Hayek .... Kolko
Jeff Goldblum .... Avnet
Elijah Wood .... Mikey
David Cross .... Andy
Tom Wilkinson .... Bollingsworth
Orlando Jones .... Miss Cocoa
Kevin Corrigan .... Paulie
David Hyde Pierce .... Mr Kerner
Lara Flynn Boyle .... Karen
John Cassini .... Henchman
Michael Rapaport .... Hitman
Myndy Crist .... Jeannie
Craig Ferguson .... Melander Stevens
Devin Douglas Drewitz .... Scottie
Dmitry Chepovetsky .... Dr Welby
Sean Smith .... Scout
Vince Metcalfe .... Captain Weaver
Michael Kopsa .... Senator Dove
Don William Skahill .... Screenwriter
Pontus Löwenhielm .... Director
Patrick von Krusenstjerna .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

Chain of fools official movie site
Studios and distributors:

Warner Bros * Roadshow Films

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

A nice little crime romance that begins and ends with someone jumping off a bridge. Not unlike Kill me later but with more humour. Steve Zahn isn't as cute as Max Beesley (the Cockney accent helps) but Salma Hayek is steamier than Selma Blair. Chain of fools has a bit more romance while Kill me later has a bit more violence. Chain of fools is a bit more Hollywood, Kill me later is a bit more independent. Take your pick.