The Good Thief *** (2002, Nick Nolte) – Classic Movie Review 1389

Writer-director Neil Jordan’s 2002 crime thriller stars Nick Nolte as a world-weary, drug-addicted, ageing gambler-thief embroiled in one last heist on a casino on the French Riviera.

Problems arise when a young hooker, femme fatale Anne (Nutsa Kukhianidze), gets mixed up with a crook (Saïd Taghmaoui) who’s one of the gang, and the cops (led by Tchèky Karyo) get to know their every move.

Nolte’s distinguished performance is the making of Jordan’s conscientious, flavoursome and involving remake of French director Jean-Pierre Melville’s 1955 classic Bob Le Flambeur. There’s striking cinematography by Chris Menges and Anthony Pratt’s production designs also help make it look great.

Ralph Fiennes has an unbilled cameo as Tony Angel.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1389

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