A Comic Caper

Cast: Ben Stiller,Eddie Murphy,Casey Affleck,Alan Alda,

Matthew Broderick

Rating: ***1/2

Alan Alda is a millionaire who owns the penthouse in The Tower — a residential apartment building that is “the costliest piece of real estate in North America”. Stiller is the manager of that building and the others are all employees who keep the apartments running — except Murphy,who is Stiller’s shady cantankerous neighbour.

It’s a pretty friendly atmosphere inside that tower,even though the employees are expected to be at the owners’ command night and day,which includes not carrying phones or texting as that could distract them from their duties.

So imagine their grief when they realise that the most genial owner of them all,the penthouse’s Mr Shaw (Alda),is actually a crook,under an FBI investigation for a securities fraud,and among the money he has lost is the pension of all the employees of that building that was invested with him.

Stiller believes Alda has money stashed away inside the apartment,and plots to steal it with the others. However,apart from being high-value property,The Tower is also among the most well-secured properties in New York.

Stiller does what he does best,bringing to the role the idea of a little man caught in a situation spiralling out of his control.

In a restrained Murphy,a much-awaited Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) and Broderick,and a very,very low-key Alda and Affleck,he has an able support cast to keep this Tower up and about.

The story may not be plausible,but its people you want to believe.

shalini.langer@expressindia.com