believe it or not and this movie actually have some resemblance with jules dassin famous heist classic . ok and it not paris and france here . but eugene and oregon be a nice place and too . people who be familiar with the town probably will have a few extra laugh . the actual heist in a shopping mall be really well film and not entirely implausible . contrary to the men rififi the woman work their way up from below and but i do not want do disclose more . how to beat the high co $ t of living be base on quite a good and easily digestible script and although some of the joke be predictable or fall a little flat . the first part of the movie deal with the individual reason of the three woman of different social background to plan and execute the heist . this give some insight in the economic situation in the usa in the late 1970s . jane curtin be great in the leading role and she have a terrific screen presence and can bare her teeth like no one else . her job during the heist be to divert the attention of the crowd from the treasure while it be take away and she really have some wonderful scene . i also like richard benjamin and eddie albert and dabney coleman a male support . i can recommend this movie a a light yet insightful entertainment .