La Petite Voleuse (The Little Thief) (1988)

67% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(615 ratings)

From time to time a deceased novelist or artist is sufficiently revered that, as a form of homage, his disciples will take one of his unfinished projects and attempt to bring it to completion. The screenplay for La Petite voleuse was written by Claude Miller, Luc Beraud and Anne Miller based on a… More From time to time a deceased novelist or artist is sufficiently revered that, as a form of homage, his disciples will take one of his unfinished projects and attempt to bring it to completion. The screenplay for La Petite voleuse was written by Claude Miller, Luc Beraud and Anne Miller based on a scenario co-authored by the late French cinema great Francois Truffaut. It brings a respectful, unsentimental, and unflinching eye to bear on the life of Janine Castang (Charlotte Gainsbourg), a 16-year-old girl beset with antisocial drives due in part to an unpleasant home life. After the Second World War, her mother was made an outcast for consorting with the Germans, and she entrusted Janine to the doubtful care of her milquetoast brother and his highly unsympathetic wife. Janine has a vivid fantasy life, and a problem with kleptomania. After she's caught stealing she's forced to go to work as a maid rather than continue in school. Soon afterward, her romantic nature flowers in a number of new relationships which place new obstacles before her. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Claude Miller
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International

In Theaters: Dec 21, 1988 Wide
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The Little Thief tells this interesting story in a somewhat frustrating way.

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Cast

            Charlotte Gainsbourg as Janine Castang

            Simon de La Brosse as Raoul

            Didier Bezace as Michel Davenne

            Raoul Billerey as Uncle Andre Rouleau

            Chantal Banlier as Aunt Lea

            Nathalie Cardone as Mauricette

            Clotilde de Bayser as Severine Longuet

            Philippe Deplanche as Jacques Longuet

            Marion Grimault as Kebadian

            Erick Deshors as Raymond

            Remy Kirch as Pascouette

            Renée Faure as Mother Busato

            Claude Guyonnet as Young Priest

            Catherine Arditi as School Director

            Gilbert Bahon as Le Brigadier

            Florent Gibassier as Le Menuisier

            Jacques Herlin as Le Sacristain

            Pierre Maguelon as M. Fauvel

            Chantal Neuwirth as La Fermiere

            Clothilde Baudon as Bonnin

            Joelle Bruyas as Sr. Marie-Odile

            Denise Chiabaut as Doctor

            Annie Legrand as Hotel Receptionist

            Jacky Nercessian as Director of Folies de Paris

            Marie-Therese Orain as La Directrice Pigier

            Sherif Scouri as Cohen
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