Hey folks, Harry here with a look at THE GOOD THIEF, a film which I haven't had a chance to see yet, but can't wait to. Any movie made by Neil Jordan is required viewing in my book... he's one of THOSE filmmakers for me. And I've been hearing very good things about this flick, this... is no exception, enjoy...
"Moriarty" here. Before we get to the review, I'd like to announce that on Saturday night, I'll be at the NuWilshire Theater in Beverly Hills for the prime time show of THE GOOD THIEF, and afterwards, I'll be moderating a Q&A with Nick Nolte there in the theater. It's a public show, no special reservations required, and all you have to do is show up and buy a ticket like normal. I'll try to post the actual showtime as soon as I know it. Anyway... here's Zakari with his review...
Hi Harry, Moriarty, all,
Review of "The good thief".
Never wrote a film review before. I will try though, because I'm not reading nearly as much about "The good thief" as I should be.
It was seeing that or "The recruit". The Good Thief was playing farther away but it was a sunny day and an hour's walk didn't scare me. I think I made the right decision, though I won't judge Recruit before I see it. The Good Thief tells the story of a guy, getting to the older side of life, a little down on his luck, who used to be a thief (maybe you'd already guessed that) and finds an opportunity to go back to it. I will say no more about the plot.
Lemme tell you what I liked, if I may. First and foremost is Nick Nolte. I have respect for him though I don't run to the theater everytime something comes out with him in it, however he is magnificient in this film. It all works, the voice, the way he carries himself, the chain-smoking, the way he reacts to the really charming 17 year old french girl trying to seduce him. All of it. To make it simple: this is the best work I've seen him do (I am no Nick Nolte encyclopedia but I've seen more than a few).
Let's talk about the supporting cast. Nick Nolte, Tcheky Karyo, Nutsa Kukhianidze (okay, she's russian, not french. Sorry), Ralph Fiennes. I could try looking for something wrong there, maybe find something if I really squint, but honestly it would take work. You don't see Fiennes much, but it works when he's around. Kukhianidze is so charming I could easily be couvinced of doing at least three impossible things just to please her (thoug not four, I have my dignity). Also Tcheky Karyo (the core, kiss the dragon if you want the american stuff, but he was really good in Besson's Nikita, as the dude who trains her) is great as the cop who's friends whith Nolte's Bob (the whole film is an hommage to Bob Le Flambeur by Jean-Pierre Melville, 1965 i think) is terribly likeable and he isn't made into a foul as it could easily have been the case.
The cinematography is very nice, never over the top and still often beautiful, complete with realistic lighting that always help set what the scene is about, and editing that never leaves you bored and finds two or three clever things to do once in a while.
The music through out is very engaging (you can hear a bit of Bono doing "that's life" during the trailer).
All that is good, but if anything see this film for the dialogue, which is simply priceless for the most part. I was smiling through out, the back and forth between characters is just great. Finally a heist movie more about the characters that the heist itself.
Okay, I'm done.
Zakari Paolon
