WHEN I see credits proclaiming that a film is “based on true events”, a cynical feeling overcomes me. Especially if the film purports to be a comedy actioner made in the US. Films fitting that description always make me feel that way, true events or not.

Well, folks, in 1997 somebody did heist $17.3 million from an armoured-car, cash-carrying company. It’s the biggest robbery yet and you know how “biggest yet” delights Americans, whatever it may be.

Writers Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer and Emily Spivey applied their inventive skills to turning that crime into a vehicle for Jared Hess to direct Zach Galifianakis running riot in. Zach’s not without skills in gormless roles such as armoured-car driver David, engaged to Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) but smitten in the hormones by blonde colleague Kelly (Kristen Wiig) who’s involved with criminal mastermind (the jails are full of them!) Steve (Owen Wilson).

In this farrago of pratfalls, various shapes, colours and sizes of gags and other stupidities, the veracity of the actual robbery and the relationship between fall-guy David and Steve and his gang is irrelevant. “Masterminds”, escapist fatuity, harmless enough, even mildly engaging, works despite itself and my cynicism. It’s based on a manifest untruth. It claims that the money has never been recovered. Most of it was. The thief will leave prison in about six years.

And some of the out-takes sprinkled through the closing credits are indeed funny.

At Dendy