Based - at least in theme, situations and characters - on a Humphrey Bogart film of 1954, Neil Jordan's offbeat romp gives Robert De Niro and Sean Penn a chance to play for laughs as two (unwillingly) escaped convicts in 1935 who, trying to flee to Canada, disguise themselves as priests at the Sanctuary of the Weeping Virgin.

De Niro mugs ferociously, but Penn is more distinguished and Demi Moore surprisingly good as a sharp-tongued single mum.

The film is entertaining when not straining for laughs, though the violence at the beginning is startling in a comedy.

The final reel scores strongly with a bright mix of laughs, sentiment and thrills, and shows how playing comedy straight pays off.