What's the Worst That Could Happen?

What's the Worst That Could Happen? is a 2001 American crime-comedy film directed by Sam Weisman and features an ensemble cast led by Martin Lawrence, Danny DeVito, and John Leguizamo. Based on the book of the same name by Donald E. Westlake, the film humorously explores the entertaining, albeit somewhat chaotic, circumstances when a thief and a billionaire battle over a supposedly lucky ring.

Martin Lawrence plays Kevin Caffery, a professional thief, who has had many successful heists but isn't opposed to a bit of good luck either. Enter Amber Belhaven (played by Carmen Ejogo), a sophisticated art curator who gives Kevin a ring that she promises will bring him good luck. Armed with his usual cunning and some extra charm, Kevin prepares to put the ring's luck to the test.

Danny DeVito portrays Max Fairbanks, a billionaire business tycoon with questionable ethics. Not one to back down easily, Fairbanks maintains a luxurious and extravagant lifestyle despite his bankruptcy. This precarious financial situation leads Fairbanks to become embroiled in some less than legal dealings, one of which is the façade of an empty beach house. The beach house is ostensibly deserted, making it a prime target for our crafty thief, Kevin.

When Kevin targets the beach house, he unexpectedly encounters Fairbanks. In the ensuing scuffle, Fairbanks makes off with the lucky ring, raising the stakes in the duel between this crafty thief and the canny billionaire. Comedy ensues as both parties refuse to back down in a back-and-forth battle that blurs the line between lawful and unlawful behavior.

DeVito shines in his role as the fast-talking, self-serving billionaire, providing a perfect foil to Lawrence’s laconic and street-smart thief. Lawrence delivers the humor with finesse, entwining every line with his unique spin. The battle of wits between these two seasoned actors is the heartbeat of the movie, keeping the audiences riveted with their exceptional performances.

John Leguizamo, in the role of Kevin's friend Berger, adds a further comedy dimension that perfectly complements Lawrence's shrewd humor. Berger, who is always there in Kevin's need, brings a lighter touch to every scene he's in, quickly becoming a crowd favorite.

The rest of the cast is loaded with talent and contributes significantly to the humor and heart of this film. There's Glenne Headly as Gloria, Max Fairbanks' astute and shrewd PA, and Larry Miller as Earl, Fairbanks' yes-man. William Fichtner delivers an eccentric performance as Detective Alex Tardio, while Bernie Mac brings his inimitable comedic style to the character of Uncle Jack, Kevin's mentor.

Director Sam Weisman does an excellent job keeping the fast-paced nature of the story and the humor flowing evenly. The heist sequences are cleverly executed, intersecting seamlessly with the comedic moments. Moreover, Weisman's ability to keep sympathy shifting between DeVito and Lawrence makes the film an engrossing watch.

What's the Worst That Could Happen? cleverly weaves humor with elements of crime in a cat and mouse game fueled by pride and revenge. The film’s script, adapted from a novel, cleverly plays on the dichotomy between the two main characters' worlds, making the unfolding chaos all the more entertaining. It's a movie with many laughs, an interesting plot, and colorful characters that bounce off each other effortlessly, making for a rollercoaster ride of hilarity and fun.

Serving as much more than just a comedy, What's the Worst That Could Happen? becomes a film that not only tickles your funny bone but also makes you think about concepts of luck, law, and justice. It's an entertaining and well-performed comedy that will keep you hooked until the very end.